arms

he upcoming event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which

takes place on 19th of April, will be conducted in the wake

of Defense Service Asia Exhibition 2008, that is consid-

ered to be one of the world's top 5 Defense and Security

exhibitions and firmly remains the Asia Pacific region's

most vital procurement hub for Defense and Security. 712 compa-

nies from 49 countries participated at the 11th Defense Services Asia

Exhibition and Conference DSA 2008 in Kuala Lumpur, showcasing

their products and technology for the Army, Navy, Air Force as well

as the security and homeland enforcement agencies. The Malaysian

government signed a total of US $360 million of contracts with local

and foreign companies and agencies.

The Russian Federation traditionally has wide participation

in the DSA exhibitions. Last DSA 2008 Russian defense prod-

ucts of more than 490 types were put on display as a common

exhibition representing 17 enterprises, among them such world-

known arms manufacturers as the Almaz-Antei missile develop-

er, the Oboronnye Sistemy (Defence Systems), Uralvagonzavod,

and Izhmash. The Russian delegation was led by Mikhail Petukhov,

Deputy Director of the Federal Service for Military and Technical

Cooperation.

The Russian Federation put on view a broad spectrum of prod-

ucts of military purpose for all arms and services, including the lat-

est products of development studies in the field of land military

vehicles: the missile and gun tank T-90S, the armored repair

and recovery vehicle BREM-1M and highly mobile versatile GAZ-

39371 Vodnik designed to install functional modules for the trans-

portation of people and loads in heavy-going areas.

The hosters expect over 700 companies from more than 40 coun-

tries to be exhibited their products. More than 25,000 trade visitors

from over 60 countries/nations are forecasted to be present.

According to the Russian plans in the light of arms export,

Moscow plans to export $9–$10 billion worth of arms annually over

the coming years. Russia's combat aircraft accounted for some 50%

of exports followed by anti-aircraft systems and navy weaponry

and equipment.

Malaysia remains Russia's main customer. It is among the targets

of a marketing blitz aimed at winning new friends as well as to

restore defense industries. Already equipped with Russian fighter

jets, Kuala Lumpur is believed to be considering other acquisitions

from Russia, ranging from battlefield tanks to submarines and mis-

sile batteries.

Salamat Datang, Russia!

DSA 2010: LIVE UP TO EXPECTATIONS

T

Anton CHERNOVEditor-in-Chief of “ARMS” Magazine

C O N T E N T S2(52).2010

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EditorsAlexander Velovich, Viktor Murakhovskiy,Yaroslav Parkhomenko

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www.interarms.ru

WEAPONS

20 Unified Fire

Control System for

Armoured Vehicles

NAVY

10 Russian Fleet

Submarine Forces'

Challenging Tasks

AIR DEFENSE

32 Upgraded ZU-23

Anti-Aircraft Mount

MEDICAL SUPPORT

4 Russian-Malaysian Military

Cooperation Promises

Bright Future

EXHIBITIONS

6 Tactical Level Battlefield

Medicine

14 From Peter the Great's

epoch of cannons

made of bronze up to

cutting-edge space

technology

24 Night Vision

Equipment:

From Generation

to Generation

36 Buk Air Defense

Missile System:

Old Friends are Best

LAND FORCES

42 Russian light

multirole Armored

Vehicles

p. 10

p. 24

p. 32

p. 42

EXHIBITIONS

4 ● ARMS Defence Technologies Review

he history of the bilat-

eral relations between

Russia and Malaysia

starts in 1966 when

the first direct con-

tacts between representatives

of the Soviet Union and Malaysia

took place in Moscow in September.

Later on, in the wake of the con-

tacts in Moscow, Malaysia hosted

a meeting in March 1967. As far as

the first agreements are concerned,

an intergovernmental agreement

on air communications was signed

in 1969, after that Aeroflot, then

Soviet Union Airlines, established

a direct link between Moscow

and Kuala Lumpur. The same year

saw the first Soviet trade and in-

dustrial exhibition held in Malaysia.

An important event in bilateral rela-

tions happened in 1972, when Prime

Minister Abdul Razak of Malaysia

paid his first official visit to the USSR

to sign economic-and-technical

and cultural-and-scientific cooper-

ation agreements.

The nowadays history is marked

by the visits of Prime Minister

Mahathir Mohamad to Russia in 1987

and 2002, as well as his working

visits to Khabarovsk and Ulan-Ude

in 1999. In 2007 Prime Minister

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi hold ne-

gotiations with Russian Federation

President Vladimir Putin concerning

space and defense cooperation, en-

ergy partnership and bilateral trade.

Regarding the visits of some

Russian high ranking officials,

the visit of the Russian President

Vladimir Putin in July 2003 became

a landmark event in bilateral rela-

tions where their effectiveness was

concerned. Noteworthy that the vis-

it was postponed one time. Due

to the terrorist attack in Tushino

(Moscow district) in June of 2003,

the visit was canceled. The Malaysian

authorities fully understood the de-

cision of then President V. Putin.

It once again proves the importance

of the development of cooperation

between two countries.

The most dynamic component

of Russian-Malaysian economic rela-

tions is cooperation in the aerospace

sphere. It is no wonder that the first

breakthrough took place in 1994

when the first 18 MiG-29 fighters

were delivered. That deal marked

the breakthrough of Russia to

the South-Asian market and showed

that not all countries would follow

the United States after the collapse

of the Soviet Union.

Currently the two countries have

been developing the $900 million

worth project on acquiring 18 Russian

serial Su-30MKM Flanker-C fighters

(six of them were delivered in October

2008). The Su-30MKM fighter is very

similar to a Su-30MKI version which

is delivered to India. However the dif-

ferences are that the Su-30MKM fight-

er is not equipped with Israeli avion-

ics, has thrust vectoring nozzle, ca-

nard surfaces and a phased array an-

tenna radar.

The chose of Su-30MKM Flanker-C

fighters does not mean that Malaysia

has not considered MiG-29 as a up-

to-date fighter. The decision to pur-

chase 18 Sukhoi jets shows the inten-

tion to increase the sector of its de-

fense as the Fulcrums well provide

closer sector. The task of the Flankers

to enhance Malaysia's strategic capa-

bilities to defend.

The Russia-Malaysia project is al-

so a unique one, as all Russian gov-

ernmental bodies, such as Ministry

of Defense, Defense Export State

Corporation Rosoboronexport,

Joint- Stock Com pany Sukhoi

Design Bureau etc. were involved

into the fulfillment of the project.

A very important role of it belongs

to the Russian President. So huge

participation of the state bodies pro-

ceeded from the competitors, who al-

so took part in the tender. First of all it

was an American fighter, F/A–18E/D.

The success of the Russian com-

panies on the Malaysian market is

RUSSIAN-MALAYSIAN MILITARY RUSSIAN-MALAYSIAN MILITARY COOPERATION PROMISES BRIGHT FUTURECOOPERATION PROMISES BRIGHT FUTURE

T

EXHIBITIONS

2(52).2010 ● 5

also stipulated by the verity of mil-

itary hardware, some Russian enter-

prises are able to offer, and creation

of some service centers, in particu-

lar for Su-30MKM Flanker-C.

The bilateral cooperation can

be assessed as good and the ten-

dency of the future development

offers great opportunities. In 2001

Malaysia bought the “Metis”anti-

tank system and in 2002 the “Igla”

air-defense system.

As far as future-oriented projects

are concern, it is necessary to men-

tion the interest of purchasing

the Be-200 and multipurpose am-

phibious aircraft and Be-103, a sea-

plane. Both designed by the Beriev

Aircraft Company and manufac-

tured by Irkut. The high perform-

ances of these planes were tested

by Indonesia in 2006, when the au-

thorities decided to rent the Be-200

aircraft for one year, by Azerbaijan

EMERCOM, that purchased one

Be-200 and by Greece. The latter or-

dered five planes of this type.

Besides, Malaysia is interested

in the Russian combat ships and pur-

chasing of some modern tanks T-90.

Rosoboronexport actively par-

ticipates in tenders for the sup-

ply of BTR-90 APC, the “Vodnik”

and “Vystrel” 4-wheel drive armored

vehicles and the “Avtobaza-M” ra-

dio-electronic surveillance system.

Malaysia expresses interest in the

Russian transport helicopters, Mi-

26MT, Mi-171 and Mi-17, as well as

in some anti-aircraft systems, such

as BUK-M2E and Igla.

In conclusion I'd like to men-

tion that apart of pure military co-

operation, Russia and Malaysia ac-

tively seek collaboration in com-

mercial space reclamation, de-

velopment of scientific and tech-

nical cooperation in the sphere

of advanced technologies, air-

craft and shipping development

as well as realization of investment

projects in Malaysia oriented to lo-

cal markets and Third Word coun-

tries, first of all the ASEAN countries,

realization of investment projects

in Russia and cooperated promo-

tion in markets of Third World

countries.

Anton Chernov

MEDICAL SUPPORT


n modern hi-tech wars,

soldiers die and are

getting wounded just

as at the time of the

Roman legions. There

is a continuous competition for sol-

dier lives between lethal weapon-

ry and survival kits on the battle-

field. The key role is played by mili-

tary medicine.

Progress in military medicine is

obvious. During World War II, the le-

thal outcome among wounded men

in the Red Army was 5.7%. 40 years

later, during the Afghan war, it de-

creased to 3.4%. 10 more years lat-

er, during the counter terrorist op-

erations in Chechnya, the lethal out-

comes compounded 1.2%. Such re-

sults were achieved owing to the de-

velopment of medical technologies as

a whole and closer attention to tacti-

cal level medical support of the troops.

For a wounded soldier the first 30

minutes are known to be crucial. This

is the time when most of the wound-

ed men die. That is why the improve-

ment in medical support at the tacti-

cal level is a key element for the sol-

diers’ survival on the battlefield.

There are three major aspects here.

First: how soon the wounded are

found on the battlefield and evacu-

IThe armored first-aid medical

vehicle is designed and equipped for setting up mobile dressing posts and rendering first aid in the combat zone.

The MT-LBu multipurpose track-ed armored personnel carrier, used as the baseline chassis, provides cross-country mobility, river cross-ing and protection of its crew against bullets and shell fragments.

Medical equipment and instru-ments, a stock of medicines and dressing materials are housed by the compartment of 8 m³ in the front part of the vehicle. Fold-back seats for the transportation of the lightly

wounded are fixed in it. Three lay-ers of stretchers with the critically wounded can be fixed there.

A special tent is set up opposite the rear door at the stern of the vehicle at the halt and is used as a wound-dressing compartment in the field conditions. When mobile the tent is transported in the bas-kets arranged on both sides of the vehicle.

The vehicle is equipped with the air filtration and climate con-trol units and a potable water tank. The portable 5kW AC diesel gen-erator is used to maintain self-con-tained power supply of the vehicle.

TACTICAL LEVEL TACTICAL LEVEL BATTLEFIELD MEDICINEBATTLEFIELD MEDICINE

MEDICAL SUPPORT

2(52).2010 ● 7

ated to the place where medical as-

sistance is rendered.

Second: immediate rendering

of basic medical assistance when the

person is wounded in order to stabi-

lize him or her and prevent the lethal

outcome.

Third: getting qualified medical

assistance to the battlefield and its

organization on the battalion level.

SEARCH AND EVACUATION

OF WOUNDED PERSONNEL

Nowadays search and detection

of the wounded have not changed

for the last several hundred years: vi-

sual observation and terrain comb-

ing. However, those methods are get-

ting ineffective as a theater of mod-

ern warfare is enlarged in scale, in-

creased in pace of combat and ri-

val armies are saturated with cut-

ting edge equipment. It is extreme-

ly difficult to search for the uncon-

scious wounded in combat vehicles,

urbanized areas and cross-country

terrain, etc.

Due to the entered-in-service ad-

vanced outfit kits as well as personal

radio sets the acuteness of the search

and rescue problem has slightly dis-

solved. However, in case of a sharp

pain shock, contusion conjugated

with loop of speech and hearing, as

well as unconscious condition a sol-

dier is not able to report on his or her

being wounded. That is why experts

suggest every soldier be equipped

with an “emergency button”. When

pushed, it brings into action a GPS

beacon which transmits the coordi-

nates of a wounded soldier.

Nowadays some outfit-in-built

systems, that are able automatical-

ly register physiological parameters

of a soldier, are under research. Such

systems are able to detect that a sol-

dier has been hit and transmit a sig-

nal to a relevant combat and combat

support network.

The detection of a wounded sol-

dier is only the first stage of casual-

ty evacuation (casevac). It is neces-

sary to whisk the casualty away from

the enemy fire to the nearest shel-

ter where a soldier can receive first

aid. Based on the Chechen Counter

Terrorist War experience, ad-hoc ri-

flemen/medics were commissioned

to a platoon level to search for

and evacuate casualties from the

battlefield. When necessary, special

search groups headed by a medic

or paramedic were organized. When

first aid had been rendered, the ca-

sualties were transfered to the shel-

ters where they could be protected

against direct fire of the enemy (the

so-called “nests of the wounded”. It

could be a trench, a wall, a basement

etc.), and then they were casevaced

by a combat or a medical vehicle to

the next stage of casevac.

Stretchers of various types were

used for foot evacuation. The wound-

ed were often dragged under enemy

fire. The special SH-4 stretches were

designed to evacuate the wounded

from combat vehicles.

In the future, it will be possible to

use remote control or self-contained

vehicles for casevac under fire such

as the BigDog quadruped robot de-

veloped by Boston Dynamics.

BММ and GAZ-59039 special-

ized armored medical vehicles, GTS

and MTLB tracked carriers, APCs

and IFVs are equipped and used for

casevac from ‘nests of the wound-

ed’ to the places where the first aid

would be rendered in the imme-

diate rear area (regimental or bri-

gade level).

At further stages of casevac, Mi-8

helicopters and An-72 and Il-76

“Scalpel” airborne hospitals would be

widely used.

FIRST AID EQUIPMENT

As was mentioned above, it is ex-

tremely important to render medical

aid within the first 30 minutes after

a soldier was got wounded to reduce

the possibility of the lethal outcome.

The GAZ-59039 (BMM) ar mo red multipurpose amphibious medical vehicle is used for search, collection and evacuation of the wounded on a battlefield and rendering them first aid during their transportation. It operates under various weather conditions on inaccessible terrain during day and night.

The vehicle is equipped with a special set of the medi-cal equipment. It consists of the

racks designed for fixation of the stretchers and medical equipment, safe, a tank for potable water, a washstand (a tap is controlled by elbows), a water tank with a bleed valve, a six-man seat with fastened belts. The fully loaded BMM weights 13.6 tons, is manned by three men, seven men can be placed in the medical compart-ment and two on the stretchers on the roof of a vehicle.

MEDICAL SUPPORT


If we could make some minor chang-

es in our common soldier medical

skills training, we could improve the

survival rate of 15–20 percent of all

battlefield deaths.

Based on the experience in the

Chechen War on Terrorism, it is ob-

vious that wounds of extremities

(63.1%) and head (24.4%) dominate

among all the wounds due to the

peculiarities of operations in urban-

ized areas, numerous snipers used

by the enemy and use of body armor

by personnel.

Heavy wounds totaled 25%. In ac-

cordance with the type of projectile

they are subdivided as follows:

■ 38% of gunshot wounds;

■ 58% of shell fragment wounds;

■ 4% of explosive wounds.

Most of the deaths on the battle-

field are caused by:

■ fatal trauma — 56%;

■ fatal hemorrhage — 28%;

■ Damage of vitals — 16%.

Statistical analysis of battlefield

deaths during the US Army opera-

tions in Iraq and Afghanistan showed

that soldiers die from the following

wounds:

■ penetrating head trauma — 31%;

■ uncorrectable torso trauma —

25%;

■ potentially correctable torso trau-

ma — 10%;

■ hemorrhage from extremity

wounds — 9%;

■ mutilating blast trauma — 7%;

■ tension pneumothorax (collapsed

lung under pressure) 5%.

Modern conflicts show that it is

necessary to improve medical train-

ing of troops and beef up individual

medical kits (for example, AI1 first-aid

individual medical kit and AV troops

first-aid kit) and group medical sets

(for example, Tactical Medical Kit).

In particular, self-tightening bandag-

es, new sets of stemming of the flow

of blood, etc are needed. It is neces-

sary to develop remote diagnostics

aids integrated into automated com-

mand and control systems.

THE GROWING IMPORTANCE

OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

During the Chechen War

on Terrorism, medical assistance

came nearer to combat units. The

following medical assistance was de-

termined:

■ on the forward edge of the battle

area (FEBA) — first aid and buddy

aid done by a soldier himself or by

ad-hoc combat lifesavers or medi-

cal instructors or paramedics;

■ in the company — advanced first

aid with the elements of first med-

ical assistance in urgent situations.

To exercise the task a company

paramedic shall be equipped

with an Airborne Medical Kit,

an aid man shall be equipped

with the “PF” Field Medical Kit

and a combat lifesaver with

a Tactical Medical Kit;

■ in the battalion — first medical

assistance in full;

■ in the regiment/brigade medical

aid station — the first medical

assistance in full with elements

of qualified medical assistance;

■ in special medical groups — qual-

ified medical assistance in full

with elements of specialized

medical assistance.

Medical personnel and special

medical equipment can be increas-

ingly vulnerable to enemy fire when

they get closer to the FEBA. This is

a main problem of medical assis-

tance on the battlefield. That is why

the necessity to equip battalions

with armored first-aid medical ve-

hicles was put on the agenda. Such

vehicles were designed by several

companies and can be batch-pro-

duced (for example, the PPMP mo-

bile medical assistance post devel-

oped by Minotor-Service in Minsk,

Belarus).

Viktor Murakhovskiy

MEDICAL SUPPORT

2(52).2010 ● 9


n the 5th of February,

2010 Russian President

D. Medvedev signed

a Decree that approves

the Military Doctrine. It

stipulates that Russia was, is and will

remain as a great power with its

own national interests. It means that

these interests shall be respected by

other states. This is the imperative

reality of the 21st century. Russia has

not only the biggest territory but al-

so the biggest sea border. The ap-

pearance of some cutting edge un-

der water technologies stipulates

the expansion of the economic and

military activities at the inner space.

Moreover, the rapidly depleting re-

serves of oil and gas put on an agen-

da the developing of under sea gas

and oil reserves as well as other ma-

terials not only at the shelf zones but

also at the abyssal planes. Therefore

the partition of areas of economic

influence in the World's oceans and

Seas is getting inevitable. It stands

to reason that these activities are

fraught with grave consequences

which can lead to the rise of military

tensions. The history of internation-

al relations has been showing that

approaches and leverages to settle

the tensions are characterized by

the real potential level and readiness

of the Navy of the conflicting par-

ties. The essence of the national pol-

icy of the sea-power states has not

been changed since the last centu-

ries and Russia will expect an inevi-

table contest on this field in the near

future. That's why the threats from

the seas and oceans will have a ten-

dency to be increased. In order to

neutralize military threats Russia will

need the powerful Navy and its inte-

gral part Fleet Submarine Forces.

Today Russian specialists have re-

stored and renewed technologies

of building nuclear submarines, have

embarked on the process of deep

modernization of the fleet as well as

launched new battle ship projects,

which are planned to be the face

of the new generation fleet, Fleet

of the 21st century. Today scientif-

ic facilities and industrial enterprises

are undergone the complex process

of transformation towards the new re-

alities of the 21st century. The Military

Doctrine is expected to push the proc-

ess of modernization and transforma-

tion. However to achieve the desire

hight some important disposal, con-

RUSSIAN FLEET SUBMARINE FORCES' CHALLENGING TASKS

O

Anton Chernov

NAVY

NAVY

2(52).2010 ● 11

struction and upgrading activities are

to be completed. It's clear that the use

of old infrastructure, scientific and in-

dustrial facilities as well as engineer-

ing capabilities give no chance for up-

to-date submarine forces.

Currently Russian engineers

are working on a New Look of the

Russian Navy at a quick pace. Rus sian

President D. Medvedev In a speech,

addressed to the high ranking mil-

itaries and politicians, heralds that

Russia needs the powerful Navy and

all efforts are done to achieve this

goal. He underlines that the time

when Russia patched the holes has

already past for good and the Russian

Federation has started the crea-

tion of the new Armed Forces lest

a thought to threaten Russia or its al-

lies should cross somebody's mind.

In accordance with the Naval

Doctrine, scheduled up to 2020,

the main task of the Russian Navy is

to provide the strategic deterrence

of initiation of a war against Russia

and its allies. In this vain, the sub-

marine forces are considered to be

the most effective element of the

Naval presence in the important ar-

eas of the oceans as well as in peace

and war time.

Today submarine forces are posed

as a backbone of the Russian Naval

Strength. At war possessing much

more combat stability in compari-

son with other forces of the Navy,

the Russian Submarine Forces such

as missile cruisers of general-pur-

pose naval forces and nuclear-deter-

rent naval forces are the most credi-

ble element to ensure retaliation. In

future operational flexibility and of-

fensive firepower of the Submarine

Forces are going to be improved

due to the phase-in operation com-

mand and control systems, including

the wide usage of multi-purpose and

multi-role robots and unmanned ve-

hicles, strike radio-electronic warfare

systems, navigation systems, com-

munications systems and up-to-date

facilities of coastal infrastructure.

It is worth to mention that

the Navy, and the Submarine Forces

in particular, will be the first to face

the cruise missiles and aircraft of a foe

in case a war breaks out. As all missiles

and aircraft should cross the Russian

sea border first. Taking into account

the experience of the Cold War,

the deterrence is possible in case if

Yuriy Dolgorukiy is the first SSBN submarine of the Borei class

Today Yuri Dolgorukiy-class

submarines are one of the best

in the world. In the nearest dec-

ade they will be the main Russia’s

strategic nuclear weapon in

the Navy. Having relatively low

cost, these vessels are powerful,

well-equipped and controlled

and possess an extremely high

stealthiness.

Laid down 2 November 1996

Launched 13 February 2008

Displacement ■ 14,720 t (14,488 long tons) surfaced

■ 24,000 t (23,621 long tons) submerged

Length 170 m (557' 9'')

Beam 13.5 m (44' 3'')

Draught 10 m (32' 10'')

Propulsion

■ 1 × OK-650B nuclear reactor

■ 1 × AEU steam turbine

■ 1 shaftSpeed 25 knots (29 mph; 46 km/h)

Complement 130 officers and men

Armament

■ 16 × Bulava SLBMs

■ 6 × SS-N-15 cruise missiles (21'' (533 mm) torpedo

tubes)

NAVY


unavoidable and unacceptable losses

be inflicted by All-Arms Naval Forces.

In this context the real combat readi-

ness of the Submarine Forces will play

the utmost important role.

One cannot slough off a role

of the Navy in the Sixth Generation

Wars, network centric warfare, with

great use of verity of robots and un-

manned vehicles in the air, on the

land and of course in the sea. For

sure, the Russia's activities in the seas

and oceans should be enough to

provide security and stable econom-

ic development of the country. In ac-

cordance with the International Law,

Russia has 12 million square meters

of sea-bed economic area. However,

some areas are disputable and moot-

ed by the neighboring states. If one

remembers the history of the past

wars, mostly they emerge from some

territorial disputes.

Nowadays a new territori-

al dispute can appear. It is Arctic.

The question about the Arctic terri-

tories is considered as a milestone

in the international relations of the

21st century. The question is getting

tougher due to oil and gas reserves

got depleted as well as due to the sit-

uation in the Middle East and North

African Countries which remains un-

predictable and volatile.

Today the intentions of groups

of the countries, which are aimed

at some territorial changes in Arctic,

have been determined. The first

group is composed of USA, Canada,

Norway and Denmark. These coun-

tries united and consolidated their

position in the framework of NATO

and stand for a solution by force.

They have already embarked on cre-

ation of a fleet armed with ice class

battle vessels, deployment of mili-

tary infrastructure and increase

of fishery and scientific-research ac-

tivities.

The second group is charac-

terized by some countries, for in-

stance China and Japan, which call

for fair partition of common herit-

age of mankind located in the Arctic

Region.

Taking into account the last de-

velopments over Arctic and posi-

tion of some countries Russia needs

the powerful Northern Fleet in order

to secure its own Northern border. To

face the challenging task the Russian

leadership has already done some

steps and propelled counter meas-

ures, in particular, Arctic troops were

created.

Speaking about the usage of ro-

bots and unmanned vessels its worth

to mention their big role and success-

ful implementation on the battlefield

based on the Iraq and Afghanistan

Wars on Terrorism. In many eyes re-

connaissance-and-attack robots are

going to become the main weapon

of the 21st century. Their main com-

bat feature is a high level of opera-

tional security and as a consequence

of this fluidity, surprise and unavoid-

ably of a strike. The vanishing-man

concept in the Armed Forces has

been launched and cannot be halt-

ed also due to the fact that a robot

does not take into account its own

life, so the only one thing can matter

is selection of a target and the way

the target has to be destroyed. It

seems that military multi-robot sys-

tems will play the main role on mat-

ters of the victory or devastated de-

feat during a network centric war-

fare. Unmanned underwater vehi-

cles, which are able to submerge

at a depth of more than 200 me-

ters and sail without refilling and re-

charging up to 400 nautical miles,

are considered today as a momen-

tous weapon. Their cheaper price

less tonnage than a submarine make

them far more attractive.

The project 941 or Akula class

submarine (NATO reporting name: Typhoon)

is a type of nuclear-

powered bal-listic missile

submarine deployed by

the Soviet Navy in the 1980s

Displacement ■ 23,200–24,500 t (22,830–24,110 long tons) surfaced

■ 33,800–48,000 t (33,270–47,240 long tons) submerged

Length 175 m (574' 2'')

Beam 23 m (75' 6'')

Draught 12 m (39' 4'')

Propulsion

■ 2 × OK-650 pressurized-water nuclear reactors, 90 MW

(120,700 hp) ea.

■ 2 × VV-type steam turbines, 37 MW (49,600 hp) ea.

■ 2 shafts

■ 7 bladed shrouded screws

Speed22.22 knots (41.15 km/h; 25.57 mph) surfaced

27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph) submerged

Endurance 180 days submerged

Test depth 400 m (1,300')

Complement 163

Armament

■ 1 × 9K38 Igla SAM

■ 2 × 650 mm (26'') torpedo tubes

■ RPK-7 Vodopad AShMs

■ Type 65K torpedoes

■ 4 × 533 mm (21'') torpedo tubes

■ RPK-2 Viyuga cruise missiles

■ Type 53 torpedoes

■ D-19 launch system

■ 20 × RSM-52 SLBMs

NAVY

2(52).2010 ● 13

The Ocean Engineering is

a complicated, hard and com-

plex work that could be compared

with the Space engineering, thus

the work needs much concentra-

tion by the government to mobi-

lize the manufacturing, financial

resources and facilities as well as

combined research and scientific

activities not only of naval spe-

cialists but also other fields spe-

cialists. Every step on the path to-

wards the bottom line of the Ocean

requires up-to-date and break-

through sci-tech technologies and

bushels of money.

But efforts and money are worth

to be spent on if Russia does not

want to be hedged and isolated

within its land borders and final-

ly be destroyed. These active steps

should be done in the nearest fu-

ture even regardless of the financial,

technical and organizational burden

housed on the shoulders of mod-

ern Russia. The Ocean Engineering

stems from the necessity to acceler-

ate the process of the Russian indus-

try of the Undersea Fleet. This top-

ic is put on the agenda of some na-

tional oriented authorities as well as

militaries and politicians.

The unification of efforts

of a wide range of specialists, think-

tanks and manufacturing facilities

in order to create underwater weap-

onry, military and special equip-

ment of new generation should be

done in the framework of a Focused

Government Program calculated

on a five, ten, fifteen, twenty and

more year period. The Government

Program should have top-priority as

these weaponry military and special

equipment will provide the securi-

ty of the national interests of Russia

and assist to react towards challeng-

ing threats.

Only the successful implementa-

tion of the Government Programs

will lead to the creation of the cut-

ting-edge underwater weapon sys-

tems which provide the military and

economic security of the Russian

Federation on its sea borders.

The Soviet Union/Russian Navy Project 705 (Лира/Lira) was a sub-marine class of hunter/killer nuclear pow-ered vessels

The Russian border of the

Arctic Region is planned to be

secured by the FSB Boarder

Guards by 2016. Combined

troops are also expected to be

deployed in the region.

Class and type attack submarine

Displacement 2,300 tons surfaced, 3,200 tons submerged

Length 81.4 metres

Beam 9.5 metres

Draught 7.6 metres

Propulsion

■ OK-550 or BM-40A, 155-MWt Lead-bismuth cooled

fast reactor

■ 40000 shp steam turbine, one shaft

Speed 12 knots surfaced, 41 knots submerged

Test depth 350 m test

Complement 31 (all officers)

Armament

■ Six 533-mm (21-inch) torpedo tubes:

■ 18 SET-65 or 53-65K torpedoes

■ 20 VA-111 Shkval torpedoes

■ 21 SS-N-15 cruise missiles

■ 12 SS-N-16 cruise missiles

■ 24 mines

NAVY


he St. Petersburg “Arse-

nal” Enterprise is the

oldest Russian defense

factory, which was built

under the Peter the First'

s decree in 1711 to produce more ad-

vanced naval and army artillery am-

munition. At that time it was called

“Liteiny Dvor” (Mold Yard) and sit-

uated closer to the Niva at an ave-

nue which was called Liteiny (Mold).

The “Arsenal” factory was relocated

out of the city to the opposite bank

of the river in the middle of 19th cen-

tury. Afterwards the Arsenal quay

and the Arsenal avenue appeared at

the new place.

Unique up-to-date army and na-

val artillery guns have been pro-

duced along the all history of the

factory. However, not only the mod-

ern artillery pieces were produced

here. The famous Peter-on-Horse

monument by B. Rastrelli, which is

situated closer to the Engineer Castle,

and world wide known the Bronze

Horseman, monument to Peter the

Great by A. Falcone, were produced

by the molders of the plant. The first

missile launchers were developed

and manufactured in the 20s of the

19th century under the leadership of

a new chief of the plant, famous artil-

lery general, Alexander Dmitrievich

Zasyadko, the creator of the first sol-

id fuel rockets. However the main

output of the factory was naval artil-

lery for the Russian Navy.

A part of the factory was relocat-

ed in the rear. The engineers, de-

signers and workers who left at the

“Arsenal” plant managed to devel-

op and produce an anti-tank gun

based on the 45mm casemate artil-

lery piece within 24 days. By means

of hundreds of these guns an ene-

my tank assault was stopped. At the

same time mortars were also man-

ufactured at the plant and were de-

livered to the front line. Since 1944

for war effort “Arsenal” embarked on

the producing of the BS-3 100 mm

antitank gun — the danger for the

fascist “Tiger” heavy tanks.

After the war the Russian Navy de-

manded recovering and new up-to-

date military hardware. For that pur-

pose Central Design Bureau-7 (now-

adays Design Bureau “Arsenal”) was

founded at “Arsenal” in 1949, which

possessed experiment production

capacities for developing naval an-

ti-aircraft artillery automatic weap-

on. “Arsenal” has created more than

20 models of one-, two- and four-

gun artillery systems with the cali-

ber from 45 to 130 mm. The “Arsenal”

specialists also developed antiair-

craft naval missile systems and jam-

ming systems. The AK-130 multipur-

pose artillery system, which was put

into service in 1985, ranks second

Old building of “Arsenal”

Nowadays “Arsenal”

FROM PETER THE GREAT'S EPOCHOF CANNONS MADE OF BRONZE

UP TO CUTTING-EDGE SPACE TECHNOLOGY

T

NAVY

2(52).2010 ● 15

to none in the world for fire power.

The vast majority of the Russian bat-

tle ships have military hardware pro-

duced by the “Arsenal” enterprise.

The Design Bureau and facto-

ry manufactured strategic combat

missile systems armed with solid fu-

el ballistic missiles. The following

missiles were designed and hand-

ed over for trial performance: the

first in the world mobile combat

missile system armed with the RT-15

middle range missile was created

for the Strategic Missile Forces; the

D-11 combat missile system armed

with the R-31 medium range missile,

which was the first Russian solid-fu-

el ballistic missile, was created for

the Submarine Fleet.

Acting as a head contractor, the

“Arsenal” Design Bureau in 1972 mod-

ernized, completed and delivered to

the Strategic Missile Forces inven-

tory the RT-2P silo-based intercon-

tinental ballistic missile, which was

equipped with a suppression of an-

timissile defense system. The missile

had been in the combat duty during

20 years since.

Taking into the account the tech-

nical level of “Arsenal”, it was ordered

to develop high-accuracy and high-

AK 130 artillery piece

ZIF-122 launcher

AK 130 KEY SPECIFICATIONS

Number of guns 2

Caliber, mm 130

Range of fire, km up to 23

Preset limits of pointing:

elevation, deg

traverse, deg

–8... +80

±180

Rate of fire, rounds/min up to 60

Personnel 6

NAVY


power actuators with digital control

system for a swiveling chamber of

the liquid-fuel missile engines of the

“Energiya” (Energy) booster of the

“Energiya-Buran” expendable launch

system. Later on, after moderniza-

tion, an actuator was installed on

the RD-180 engine, which is used by

the United States of America at the

“Atlas-III” and “Atlas-V” expendable

launch systems.

Since 1969 “Arsenal” has been em-

barked on space-based technology.

In 1981 the “Arsenal” Design Bureau

was awarded a head contractor sta-

tus for some space complexes of a

naval space reconnaissance and tar-

get designation system. Since that

times space-based technology has

become a general guidance.

“Arsenal” produced two types of

spacecraft: radar surveillance and

communications surveillance craft.

The radar surveillance craft were

equipped with the “Buk” and “Topaz”

nuclear propulsion units. Around 30

craft of this type were launched into

space. World space technology had

no experience in use of the space-

craft equipped with nuclear propul-

sion units. The spacecraft of this type

have a specially designed system

which allows to shift a radiation haz-

ard part of a craft to a higher orbit af-

ter the term of usage.

Experience gained by “Arsenal”,

both Design Bureau and Machine

Engineering Plant, could be used to

develop some advanced spacecraft

equipped with much more powerful

nuclear propulsion units.

In 1980-s “Arsenal” exercised

modernization of the spacecraft

of the space complexes of a naval

Self-propelled launcher with RT-15 missile

Loading the RT-2P missile

to silo

R-31 ballistic missile

NAVY

2(52).2010 ● 17

space reconnaissance and target

designation system and improved

much their functional and perfor-

mance characteristics. The space-

craft equipped with radar surveil-

lance systems had been provided

Russian Navy with needed informa-

tion 24 hours a day under different

weather conditions for a long time.

The 300-year-anniversary of the

“Arsenal” foundation is getting closer

(it will be celebrated on October 15,

2011). During last decades the main

creative efforts of “Arsenal” and the

co-enterprises were aimed at the de-

velopment and ground-completion-

methods of a new space system de-

signed for radiophysical research of

the land surface (different terrain

and sea areas) in order to enlarge

broad spectrum of manifold chal-

lenges on behalf of different custom-

ers. The being created space com-

plex uses cutting-edge research-

and-engineering achievements

in the industry sector. Particularly,

the latest radio-technical and radar

equipment is used in the complex.

Nowadays the “Arsenal” enterprise

has embarked on flight tests and

full-scale development test of the

new generation spacecraft which is

integrated into the mentioned space

complex.

The “Arsenal” Design Bureau is

engaged into the diversification of

the space topics in order to provide

the economic stability under the

market relations which the Design

Bureau is involved in. The most ra-

tional decision of the diversification

for the Design Bureau is to design

some space systems for scientific

and social-economic purposes. For

instance, the Design Bureau created

a pilot scheme of the “Neva” Unified

Small Space Platform, as well as an

integrated working-out and several

projects of space systems were done

which are used on the basis of the

Unified Small Space Platform.

For example the “Zvezdny Patrul”

(Star Patrol) development activities

were furnished. The aim of the ac-

tivities is to develop a space sta-

tion to control over the circum-

terrestrial space and create opti-

cal transients to use them in outer-

space. The “Arsenal” Design Bureau

Submarine fir-ing the R-31 missile

R-31 missile salvo

NAVY


in cooperation with Institute for

Astronomy of the Russian Academy

of Sciences (INASAN, Moscow) in

accordance with design specifica-

tion by Central Research Institute for

Engineering Technology conduct-

ed scientific research of the possi-

ble layout of a future space com-

plex designed to control the circum-

terrestrial space as well as to solve

the problems with asteroidal threat.

The implementation of “Zvezdny

Patrul” can be done with use of

spacecraft which are built on the ba-

sis of low earth orbit and high earth

orbit variants of the “Neva” Unified

Small Space Platform. Roskosmos,

the Russian Academy of Sciences,

the Ministry of Defense and Ministry

of the Russian Federation for Civil

Defense, Emergency Management

and Natural Disasters Response

show their interest in this devel-

opment. Bearing in mind the ur-

gency of an issue, the “Arsenal”

Design Bureau suggested that the

“Zvezdny Patrul” development activ-

ities should be done before 2020. At

the same time some activities are

in progress on the foreign markets

to forward the projects where they

could find a use. For this purpose

an agreement with “Kosmoexport”

was inked.

It should be noted that the

“Arsenal” Design Bureau has been in-

volved in further research activities

to use spacecraft equipped with nu-

clear propulsion units to meet social-

economic and scientific challenges

including national and global secu-

rity tasks.

Coming closer to the 300 anni-

versary St. Petersburg “Arsenal” does

not forget its traditional assignment,

which was given by Peter the First, to

work out the A-192 new-generation

multipurpose gun mount.

“Arsenal” Design Bureau“Arsenal” Federal State Unitary

Enterprise, Press ServiceAdvertising and Public Relations Departmentof OJSC “MZ “Arsenal”

US-AM spacecraft

US-PU spacecraft

NAVY

2(52).2010 ● 19


WEAPONS

ne of the main factors

leading to increase

of combat effectiveness

of existing armoured

ve hicles is the use of

more advanced fire control system

(FCS). Therefore more and more of-

ten increase in combat effectiveness

is reached by means of upgrading

FCS of combat vehicles’ (CV) weap-

on systems.

For decades development of fire

control systems for light armoured

vehicles (IFV, AAV and APC) lagged

behind the development of tank-

mounted fire control systems.

For firing BMP-1 IFV’s 73 mm

gun coupled with a machine gun

and for firing the Malyutka ATGM

system the vehicle is equipped with

a combined periscopic gunner’s sight

with dependent (on the gun) LOS

and non-stabilized electric drive mo-

tor. Hence, BMP-1 IFV is capable of fir-

ing all weapon systems only in sta-

tionary position.

FCS for the BMP-2 IFV is the first

fire control system for light combat

vehicles featuring weapon system

stabilizer which enables firing 30 mm

gun and coupled machine gun both

in stationary position and on the

move, while firing ATGM only in sta-

tionary position.

While tanks were already equip-

ped with laser rangefinders and bal-

listic computers with fire conditions

sensors, combat vehicles, like BMP-2

IFV for example, were not.

Adopting BMP-3 infantry fighting

vehicle by the Russian Armed Forces

in 1987 was a qualitative leap for

lightly armoured vehicles. the BMP-

3 weapon system was created at KBP

Instrument Design Bureau. In terms

of its composition and fire power it

was a unique system, excelling both

existing series production systems

and future IFVs from all countries

of the world. the system includes

a 100 mm gun, a 30 mm gun, guided

weapon with a tube-launched mis-

sile and FCS, whose specifications

were not inferior to tank FCS being

even superior in some aspects.

For the first time BMP-3 FCS, as

opposed to BMP-2 FCS, used ana-

logue ballistic computer and gun-

ner’s sighting unit with independent

line of sight (LOS), the latter ensuring

firing on the move both unguided

and guided weapons. Some of the pa-

rameters were fed from sensors auto-

matically, e.g. vehicle speed and az-

imuth, angular speed of the target

in azimuth channel, vehicle roll, dis-

tance to target. Range was measured

by laser rangefinder mounted on the

barrel. the parameters which change

slowly, like ambient air and charge

temperature, atmospheric pressure

and muzzle velocity deviation could

be fed manually. Hence, develop-

ment of BMP1–>BMP2–>BMP3 FCS

demonstrates convergence of trends

of tank FCS and lightly armoured ve-

hicles (IFV in particular) FCS devel-

opment.

At the same time the BMP-3 ad-

opted more than 20 years ago pos-

sessed a sufficient reserve for en-

hancement of performance charac-

teristics. a new step in development

of IFV FCS was the KBP-developed

fire control system for BMD-4 air-

borne assault vehicle which in many

aspects excelled tank FCS.

The FCS consisted of the follow-

ing major components: combined

gunner’s day/night sight, command-

er’s panoramic sight, accuracy arma-

ment stabilizer, digital ballistic com-

puter with sensor package and IR au-

tomatic target tracker.

The combined gunner’s sight (GS)

combines range-finding, thermal

UNIFIED FIRE CONTROL SYSTEM UNIFIED FIRE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ARMOURED VEHICLESFOR ARMOURED VEHICLES

O

BTR-90 armed with unified

FCS and Berezhok

fighting compartment

2(52).2010 ● 21

WEAPONS

imaging, sighting and missile guid-

ance channels in one module featur-

ing one head mirror which ensures

high accuracy LOS stabilization in

two axes. This allows detecting tar-

gets at large distances while mov-

ing, reliable target tracking in au-

tomatic and semiautomatic modes

with stabilization accuracy of 0.005–

0.10 mrad. Incorporation of ther-

mal imaging sight allowed firing all

types of ammunition both by day

and at night and under limited visi-

bility (haze, smoke) conditions at all

weapon operating ranges.

Limitation in number of ATGM

launch cycles typical of BMP-3 was

removed. Unified design of the mod-

ule ensures that misalignment of op-

tical axes of range-finding and sight-

ing channels in the course of life-cy-

cle with no adjustment carried out

does not exceed 0.1 mrad, this en-

hancing performance characteristics

of the sight.

Range-finding channel of the

sight ensures measuring distance

to target with a frequency of 4–5

Hz, this increasing efficiency of fire

against ground and especially aeri-

al targets.

Commander’s panoramic TV sight

(CPS) with independent two-axis

LOS field stabilization, with frequen-

cy laser range-finder and TV guid-

ance channel ensures quick and reli-

able search and detection of ground

and aerial targets, all-round surveil-

lance independent of the gunner’s

sight, accurate target designation

(up to 0.1 mrad) in azimuth and el-

evation and efficient firing all types

of armament.

FCS features full back-up of com-

mander’s actions during the process

of firing all types of armament in-

cluding guided missiles both by day

and at night.

Mirror pointing angles increased

to 60° in elevation and LOS angular

velocities increased to 20 deg/s in

“aerial target” mode, as well as high

frequency (up to 5 Hz) range-finding

ensure highly efficient firing against

aerial targets especially in automatic

tracking mode.

Ballistic computer with sensor

package. Adoption of digital ballis-

tic computers instead of analogue

ones makes it possible to process in-

creased data flow with higher speed

and accuracy and to use advanced

fire algorithms.

FCS of the BMD-4 and upgrad-

ed BMP-2 vehicles take account

of the following factors: CV speed,

roll and trim difference, target rela-

tive angular speed, distance to tar-

get, type of ammunition, CV bearing

angle, air temperature and pressure,

charge temperature, angle of target

position, changing distance to tar-

get during CV motion, projectile ex-

it angle, number of shots made by

the gun.

FCS of the adopted BMD-4 more

accurately than the 1V539 ballistic

computer (that of BMP-3) considers

parameters of target movement rel-

ative to the platform: LOS angular

speed in horizontal and vertical axes,

speed of target approach to platform.

Considering the following parame-

ters also adds significantly to the in-

crease of fire accuracy: angle of tar-

get position when determining aim-

ing angles, projectile flight time, fir-

ing range limits, non-linear depen-

dence of range corrections on me-

teoballistic factors — air pressure

and temperature and their non-lin-

earity and cross-effect in particular,

ballistic wind.

Moreover a newly developed fire

permission algorithm allows consid-

ering limiting characteristics of CV

subsystems during firing, e.g. it fea-

tures automatic prohibition of firing

beyond maximum aimed and aim-


WEAPONS

off fire distances, when exceeding

permissible LOS angular speed, etc.

However tank FCS considers only limi-

tation in permissible drive motor error.

The new 1V539M digital ballistic

computer in contrast to BMP-3 ana-

logue ballistic computer ensures easy

programming for use of virtually un-

limited number of ammunitions with

new ballistic characteristics and its

use as a component of FCS of vari-

ous CVs.

This combination resulted in in-

crease of firing accuracy. the maxi-

mum errors of aiming angle and lat-

eral lead calculation in 1V539M bal-

listic computer do not exceed tenths

of mrad.

Armament stabilizer along with

the gunner’s and commander’s sights

performs stabilization and laying

of the system’s weapons when firing

all types of ammunition in stationary

position, on the move and afloat.

The operation speed of the stabi-

lizer is enhanced owing to the con-

figuration of the stabilizer con-

trol unit in the form of an electron-

ic device based on a minicomput-

er as well as thanks to application

of a DC electric motor with commu-

tatorless electronic switching. As a re-

sult, armament stabilization accura-

cy is enhanced and dynamic errors

are reduced. the new stabilizer en-

ables optimal operation of the turret

and armament laying drives in var-

ious modes, as well as adjustment

of the drives in case of wide spread

of mechanical parameters of differ-

ent objects of control.

TV/IR automatic target tracker au-

tomatically tracks the LOS of the TV

(commander’s panoramic sight) or

thermal (thermal module of the gun-

ner’s sight) sight to the target as-

signed by the gunner or commander.

It also enables high-precision laying

of the aiming mark at the target in re-

al combat conditions, which is partic-

ularly important when firing a guid-

ed missile.

The TV/IR automatic target track-

er implements the “fire-and-for-

get” principle. the hit probability

of the missile becomes technical-

ly guaranteed because the man is

excluded from the guidance loop.

This enables to reduce the workload

on the operator, to have stable track-

ing in stress situations of the battle,

as well as to restore tracking after

its loss owing to the inertial tracking

mode in case of temporal interrup-

tion (up to 5 seconds) of the signal in

respect of the target.

The installation of the new FCS

on the BMD-4 imposed additional re-

quirements on the automatic loading,

and this issue was solved by a com-

mon automatic loader of unguided

and guided projectiles.

Automatic target tracking signif-

icantly increases fire accuracy, espe-

cially when firing at moving targets

and when moving with high speed.

the TV/IR automatic target tracker

enables to reduce errors of LOS stabi-

lization by a factor of 1.5–2.5.

The proposed FCS features mod-

ular design: various types of Russian

and foreign thermal imagers can

be installed; anti-tank missile guid-

ance modules can be replaced; vari-

ous ballistics of unguided projectiles

can be input; layout of the modules

on the CV can be varied. According

to customer’s request any FCS com-

position version can be installed, in-

cluding a reduced one.

The FCS modular design allowed

to use the prevailing part (up to 90%)

of the FCS of the BMD-4 fighting

compartment in the fighting com-

partment of the upgraded BMP-2:

the missile guidance channel is re-

placed in the BMP-2 FCS; the com-

mander’s sight is installed behind

the turret due to the lack of space.

In addition, the new FCS installed

on the BMP-2 has enabled to conduct

missile salvo firing to engage hardly-

armoured targets, to fire an automat-

ic grenade-launcher while stationary,

on the move and afloat, as well as to

fire other weapons.

Furthermore, in order to upgrade

lighter vehicles, e. g. BMD-2, the FCS

was installed in the reduced version:

only a part of the FCS and a part

of the armament (one launcher).

The FCS was tested on the T-72

tank in the course of its upgrade ac-

cording to one of the options.

The FCS has imparted the follow-

ing new features to weapon systems

of combat vehicles:

■ enhancement of gun fire accu-

racy; the effective range of fire

of 30 mm projectiles has increased

from 1100–1400 m up to 1800–

2000 m; the maximum range

BMD-4 armed with unified FCS

and Bakhcha fighting

compartment

BMP-3 armed with unified

FCS and Bakhcha fighting

compartment

2(52).2010 ● 23

WEAPONS

of fire of 100 mm projectiles has in-

creased from 4 up to 7 km; the ef-

fective range of tank guns has in-

creased by a factor of 1.3–1.8;

■ increase of target hit probabili-

ty by an anti-tank guided missile;

■ enhancement of target search

and detection capabilities, full

backup of firing all types of weap-

ons by the commander;

■ capability to kill a wide range

of targets (stationary, maneuver-

ing, small-size, high-speed targets,

including aerial targets) under ad-

verse weather and survey con-

ditions while stationary, on the

move and afloat, day and night,

by all weapons installed on the

combat vehicle;

■ increase of air target kill probabil-

ity by more than an order of mag-

nitude while reducing ammuni-

tion expenditure; the effective-

ness of air-defence fire of com-

bat vehicles approximates to that

of specialized close-in air-defence

missile-gun systems;

■ capability of firing from indirect

positions;

■ “fire-and-forget” missile fire;

■ engagement of current and ad-

vanced tanks due to salvo fire

of two anti-tank missiles in one

beam and due to elevated mis-

sile fire;

■ ease of usage, opportunities to

promptly increase the number

of types of weapons and ammuni-

tion being used and to orient one-

self in the combat situation; im-

provement of ergonomic charac-

teristics of the combat vehicle.

Thus, introduction of the unified

automatic round-the-clock FCS has

enabled to significantly increase

the effectiveness of armoured vehi-

cles armament under all conditions

of combat operation: typical target

kill probability of the BMD-4 is in-

creased by a factor of 3–4 as com-

pared to that of the BMP-3, and by

a factor of 4–7 for the upgraded BMP-

2 as compared to the BMP-2.

The KBP-designed BMD-4 and the

fighting compartment of the up-

graded BMP-2 with the unified FCS

currently have the performanc-

es, which are superior to those

of the best foreign counterparts:

Bradley (US), Marder (Germany).

This FCS can be used (totally or

partially) as a part of weapon systems

in the BMD-2, BMD-3, BTR-90, BMP-3,

in the T-72, T-80, T-90 tanks as well as

in weapon systems installed on river

and sea vessels.

KBP has studied an opportunity to

install weapon systems with the new

FCS of the BMD-4 on foreign custom-

er’s vehicles: Patria (Finland), ASCOD

(Austria) and FAHD (Egypt), and the

FCS of the upgraded BMP-2 — on ve-

hicles of the Italian company IVECO.

Thus, the proposed FCS is cur-

rently in quantity production at KBP

Instrument Design Bureau and can

be installed on various vehicles ac-

cording to customer’s request.

BMD-3 armed with unified FCS and Berezhok fighting compartment

BMP-2 armed with unified FCS and Berezhok fighting compartment

BMP-3 armed with unified FCS and Berezhok fighting compartment


WEAPONS

NIGHT VISIONNIGHT VISION

FROM GENERATIONFROM GENERATIONTO GENERATIONTO GENERATION

2(52).2010 ● 25

WEAPONS

ungary, to the south

and south-east of Lake

Balaton Soviet Union

troops were repelling

an assault of the large

infantry and cavalry German forc-

es». The Sovinformbjuro broadcast-

ing agency reported it on March

6, 1945 and repeated it without any

changes on March 7 and 8. One day

later it was announced “Soviet Union

troops were repelling an assault of

the large infantry and cavalry enemy

forces directed towards the Danube

to the south-east and south of Lake

Balaton in Hungary. Having suffered

heavy losses the enemy managed to

buckle in our defense line in sever-

al sectors. 72 German tanks and self-

propelled guns were destroyed on

March 9 in the region”.

The unimportant buckling in a

line was as many as 30 kilometers!

That was the first time during the

war the Germans had conducted an

offensive at night. They forced to the

Danube and were stopped at a great

cost of life. 33 thousand men were

killed, wounded or missed in action.

But the Germans also lost 40 thou-

sand men and half of the 900 tanks.

The Balaton only disappeared from

the reports on March 16.

Short on a time, but exclusive

on its dynamics and slogging bat-

tles the Balaton defensive operation

of the 3rd Ukrainian Front could be

compared with the battle of Kursk.

Anyone who knows the history

of World War II even a little will pay

attention to an unusual combina-

tion — the Germans and night bat-

tles, moreover offensive operations.

No doubt the German tank troopers

saw in darkness like cats!

THE BEGINNING …

That was almost in that way:

the image intensifier tube was devel-

oped in 1934. The electrons knocked

off the photocathode by the IR radia-

tion are accelerated and focalized by

EQUIPMENT:EQUIPMENT:

Mikhail Timoshenko

H““


WEAPONS

an electric magnetic field on the an-

ode drawing image visible in an eye-

glass on a luminescent screen. By

the end of the war Germany pro-

duced up to thousand IR-devices

a month. They were mounted on the

PzKpfw V Panther tanks. It allowed

SS-troops to buckle in the Soviet

defense line during the first days

of the battle of Balaton Lake though

the Soviet units had superiority

in tanks and artillery.

Those devices had low sensi-

tivity — for their usage (they al-

lowed engaging our tanks and guns

at the range of 400 m at night)

the auxiliary illumination was nec-

essary. It was provided by the flood-

lights covered with ebonite sheets

and mounted on the Sd. Kfz. II51/II0

Valke APCs. And they had their own

heel of Achilles — bright direct light

burnt the photocathode out put-

ting the image intensifier tube out

of action. Wasn’t that the reason why

our antiaircraft floodlights flood-

ed the Germans when attacking at

the Battle of the Seelow Heights?

Unfortunately, we’ll never find out

the truth. But what a brilliant exam-

ple of successful electronic warfare

it could be!

Those image intensifier tubes be-

came night vision device of gener-

ation zero. Disadvantages: necessi-

ty of an active auxiliary illumination

provided by the IR-floodlight which

is also a signature; lack of protection

against bright light (flash out protec-

tion) and low sensitivity.

Active IR devices with an aux-

iliary illumination were improved

in the first post-war decade. By

the end of 1950s the march speed

of American military convoys at night

was almost the same as in daytime.

But at night an IR-floodlight mount-

ed on the APC or tank was actually

“screaming”: ‘I am the target!’ And ac-

tive devices of generation zero were

replaced by the passive or image in-

tensifying ones.

GENERATION BY GENERATION …

Passive night vision device tech-

nology is based on the image in-

tensifier tubes (photomultipliers) lo-

cated between the photocathode

and the eyeglass. It allows the device

to intensify visible and an IR ranges

and draw the image. In other words

an electron knocked off the pho-

tocathode by light is transmuted

into the whole stream of electrons

because of the secondary emission

in several stages. And this stream

can be focalized to draw the visu-

al image.

The principle of operation of such

devices is based on the fact the bat-

tlefield is not dark; it is always illumi-

nated either by fires, moonlight or

stellar light. The human eye is capa-

ble to fix even a separate quantum,

but it is better to see the enemy —

and image intensifiers transmute

separate quantum into bright image.

There were several generations

of image intensifying night vision

devices. Gen I, tested in Vietnam,

produced a light amplification

of around 1000x and allowed to

fight at the light of the quarter

moon. Gen II (the Falkland War, 1982

and the Desert Storm, 1991) pro-

duced a light amplification of around

20000x and worked at the starlight.

Then the researchers managed to

resist the whiteout at the expense

of application of micro channel tech-

nology. Improved image-intensifier

tubes utilizing micro-channel plate

(MCP) accelerate electrons in a large

number of bypass channels of di-

ameter about micrometer. If any

of them is blinded there will be no

problem: a micron size bright point

will not spoil the image. Generation

III uses a photocathode made with

gallium arsenide, which further im-

proves image resolution and ampli-

fies to around 30000–50000x. They

are in use nowadays. And Generation

IV has an automatic gated power

supply and endless MCP system reg-

ulates the photocathode voltage al-

lowing the NVD to instantaneously

adapt to changing light conditions

and increase its range.

Photomultipliers are compact,

keep the platform camouflaged

and have the high-resolution capa-

bility ensuring confident target iden-

tification and exact sniper shooting.

But they are only effective against

darkness and ineffective against

aerosols (fog, smoke) and rain. As ill

luck would have it war always takes

place in bad weather!

YOU HAVE — TEMPERATURE!

That is why thermo vision tech-

nologies were also being devel-

oped along with image intensifica-

tion, the long-wave one which does

not need any celestial light. As all

the military science interesting ob-

jects radiate electromagnetic waves

in the infra-red spectrum. Even kids

know about an IR-homing head

of air-to-air missiles. And there are

also tank engines, radars, etc. If we

consider ourselves, body tempera-

ture of human being is 36.6°С.

First, this radiation was captured

by thermo resistances ruler, then —

sub matrix (both of them had me-

chanical scanning), and later — ma-

trix. The devices were to be cooled

to liquid nitrogen temperature in or-

der to suppress thermal interfer-

ence. That is why, for example, very

powerful compact cooler body was

one of the critical technologies used

in tank infra-red thermal imagers.

Finally, matrix on uncooled sil-

icon microbolometers appeared.

They require neither cooling nor me-

Restored PzKpfw V

Panther tank with night

vision device mounted on its

turret

GOES 34210M

2(52).2010 ● 27

WEAPONS

chanical scanning. However, such

a matrix usually uses the Peltier de-

vice which can both cool and heat

up and serves as a method of ther-

mal stabilization. In the English-

speaking literature such devices are

referred to as TEC (Thermoelectric

Cooler). Thermoelectric cooling us-

es the Peltier effect to create a heat

flux between the junction of two

different types of materials (normal-

ly bismuth telluride and silicon ger-

minades) which transfer heat from

one side of the device to the oth-

er side against the temperature gra-

dient (from cold to hot), with con-

sumption of electrical energy. If cool-

ing the heating part of a Peltier de-

vice, for example by a radiator or fan,

the temperature of the cold one will

become lower. In different equip-

ment these devices are often used as

the second or third stage of cooling.

It allows attaining the temperatures

of −80°К for one-stage refrigerators

and −120°К for the two-stage ones.

Quality of an image drawn by

thermal imagers does not depend

on the target’s illumination. And its

range does depend on the air con-

dition as it operates in a long-wave

spectrum. Effective range probabil-

ity of thermal imagers is about 90-

92%. They have better interference

immunity, but both thermal imagers

and night vision devices do not pro-

vide necessary range at unfavorable

weather conditions. Thermal imag-

ers are more complicated, expen-

sive and larger than photomultipliers.

They have lower resolution and do

not seem to like wet, covered with

dirt or snow targets. That is why re-

al weapons systems combine both

light amplification and thermo vi-

sion channels.

THE MISSION MATTERS

Modern night vision devices are

manufactured in several basic ver-

sions.

Night monocular is the simplest

variant — It is normally a telescope

of low magnification degree handed

by the operator.

Night vision binoculars have two

image intensifier tubes and produce

magnified stereoscopic picture.

Night vision goggles are fixed

on a head, provide wide field of view

and normally do not magnify the im-

age or have variable magnification

of 1х and more which allows us-

ing them as a binocular. Night vi-

sion goggles use pseudo-binocu-

lar (Cyclops) image intensifier tubes

when one image intensifier tube

sends picture to both eyeglasses.

Night sight is fixed on the small

arms and, as a rule, magnifies the im-

age and has a reticule. These devices

should stand the kick and it restricts

their application on high-power small

arms. The alternative for the night vi-

sion device laying is the IR laser tar-

get director which is an invisible la-

ser beam being watched through

the night vision goggles.

The night vision devices mounted

on combat vehicles are integrated in-

to their targeting systems.

WHAT IS THERE INSIDE NVD?

So, image intensifier tube is

the basis of any night vision de-

vice. Image intensifier tubes devel-

op in a close co-operation genera-

tion development of night vision de-

vices. Gen I of night vision devices

are based on one- and multistage

image intensifier tubes using a mul-

tislot photocathode of 220 μA/lm

made primarily of glass to accelerate

the electrons, input and output fi-

ber-optical elements. Gen II of night

vision devices are also based on im-

age intensifier tubes. They had input

and output fiber-optical elements,

micro-channel plate (MCP) and mul-

tislot photocathode which had a sen-

sitivity of around 300 μA/lm. This

generation is subdivided into invert-

er and biplanar image intensifier

tubes. These are two gaps with par-

allel electric field: photocathode- mi-

cro-channel plate and micro-chan-

nel plate -screen. Depending on sen-

sitivity of the multislot photocathode

night vision devices are subdivid-

ed into Gen II, Gen II+ and Gen II++

and based on the biplanar image in-

tensifier tubes. Gen III night vision

device is a biplanar image intensifier

tube using photocathode made with

gallium arsenide.

Gen II+, II++ and III are being

developed within the last 25 years.

However, Generation IV image in-

tensifier tube has become a real

achievement for the last few years.

This is an image intensifier tube with

the A3V5 photocathode with an ion-

barrier film on a micro-channel plate.

It has an automatic gated power sup-

ply. Such image intensifier tube has

increased impulse/noise ratio (above

33) and extended to 1000 lx opera-

tive illumination range. It increases its

effective range in extreme low light

conditions and allows conducting ef-

fective observation in the dynamic

lightning including urbanized areas.

As far as the other trends are

concerned it is necessary to note

Agava-II Thermal sight

Tank Thermal Vision "ESSA"


WEAPONS

interest and progress in the field

of hybrid-module intensifiers (HMI)

where there is an electron-raised

charge-coupled matrix built-in

the image intensifier tube. In such

HMI there are no losses caused

by the conversion of an electronic

stream to the image drawn on the

screen, losses of emanation and res-

olution in the optical devices. And

there are no screen luminophor

noises. The possibility of converting

the image to the analogue or digital

signal allows the operator to receive

the image on the monitor removed

from the sensor block and conduct

video processing.

Quality of image intensifier tubes

is expressed in a calculated factor

called Figure of Merit (FOM) which is

an abstract measure of image tube

performance, derived from the num-

ber of line pairs per millimeter (reso-

lution limit) multiplied by the tube's

signal-to-noise ratio. High quality im-

age intensifier tubes are known to

have a FOM of 1200–1500. Active

growth of Gen II + and III image in-

tensifier tube parameters decreased

in the last decade of the XX century.

It should be mentioned that Russian

image intensifier tubes of Gen II+

and III have increased their FOM dur-

ing the last years.

A number of design projects have

been completed in Russia recent-

ly. Biplanar image intensifier tubes

of Gen II, II+, II++ with multislot pho-

tocathode and Gen III tubes with

AIIIB5 photocathode for night vision

devices have been developed. Next

generation of night vision devices

based on biplanar image intensifi-

er tubes has been successfully de-

signed and their production has been

partially mastered. In particular, such

night vision devices as Naglaznik

pseudo-binocular goggles, Leader

pseudo-binocular night vision field

glasses, Skosok flying night vision

goggles, etc. Despite the mentioned

night vision devices a great number

of unusual ones based on the image

intensifier tube technology was de-

signed. Such as low-profile night vi-

sion goggles, wide-field goggles with

the user's field of view to around

60 degrees, etc.

The US companies mastered

the production of biplanar image

intensifier tubes of Gen III with rota-

tional image displacement and with-

out it; the European and Israeli pro-

duce biplanar image intensifier

tubes of Gen II+ and II++ for night

vision devices. The USA run a full-

scale production of night vision de-

vices based on Gen III image inten-

sifier tubes, the NATO countries’ re-

search is based on II++ ones. Key

characteristics of foreign night vi-

sion devices are comparable with

ours. In fact, night vision device

based on Gen III image intensifier

tubes are only implemented in poor

visibility (Е <1•10-3 lx). At this visi-

bility effective range of Gen III im-

age intensifier tubes excel Gen II++

ones. Gen III night vision devices are

~1.5–2 times more expensive than

generation II++.

The image intensifier tubes of Gen

IV should have 1.5 micron spectral

sensitivity, resolution of 64 lp/mm,

wave length sensitivity of 1.0 mi-

crons S> 100 μA/W, a signal/noise

ratio of more than 63. Night vision

devices based on the biplanar im-

age intensifier tube with the 1.1 mi-

cron photocathode sensitivity, mi-

Thermal Vision "Sosna"

2(52).2010 ● 29

WEAPONS

cro-channel and fiber-optical plates

with the 54 lp/mm resolution have

been designed. It is possible to re-

search new generation of night vi-

sion devices based on the new sen-

sitive elements and increase their ef-

fectiveness in 1.5–2 times. Such night

vision devices also ensure higher in-

terference immunity.

AND WHAT IS THERE INSIDE

A THERMAL IMAGER?

Thermo imaging development is

divided into four generations:

Gen I: thermal imagers on single

rulers of optical detectors on the ba-

sis of a MCT (mercury cadmium tel-

luride) liquid melt with two-dimen-

sional scanning. It should be men-

tioned that a MCT bulk crystal is

much more expensive than gold;

Gen II: thermal imagers on sub-

matrix on the basis of a MCT with

signal summation of more than

2 elements and one-dimensional

scanning;

Gen III: thermal imagers

on CdHgTe matrix with 20-micron

sensitive elements. Hyper sensi-

tivity of such optical detectors al-

lows gaining temperature sensitivi-

ty of T<0,07°С;

Gen IV: thermal imagers on un-

cooled thermal matrix on the basis

of silicon microbolometers or pyro-

electric matrix and other VO mate-

rials. There is no detector and deep

cooling system in Gen IV thermal

imager.

In Russia there is a concept

of thermal imagers based on rul-

ers with small number of elements

The mili-tary man is equipped with the Alfa-9022 monocular and Alfa-7115 laser target pointer fixed on the assault rifle

WEAPONS

(10–32). Though the concept of pro-

duction of such optical detectors

is very attractive they yield to for-

eign on 60-element optical detec-

tors. Within the limits of the Federal

Night Vision Developments Program

Ministry of Defense and civil com-

panies have designed the module

construction of thermal imagers.

Some modules as separate elements

were made for all the 4 generations

of thermal imagers.

Production of MCT bulk crys-

tals has been mastered in the USSR

in the 1980s, and thermal imagers

for some military equipment could

be produced in lots. That means that

USSR could have had tank and he-

licopter thermal imagers even

at the Afghan War. But … then oth-

er times have come, and capitalism

building in Russia ruined military-

industrial complex. The main tasks

of the Russian Ministry of Defense

were personnel reduction and logis-

tic support of those in service.

Russia produces Gen 0 Posobie-1

and Gen I Posobie-2 and Agava-2

thermal imagers. Posobie-1 is an IR-

camera based on a 50-element JnSb

optical detector for the reconnais-

sance post. Pokolenie-2, modification

of Posobie-1, uses Nevesomost-64

photo-receiving device which con-

sists of 64-element ruler of MCT crys-

tals. We also produce Agava-2 ther-

mo vision sight on the basis of Archa

photo-receiving device which is

based on the 128-element photo re-

sistor made from MCP.

Orion R&D designed thermal im-

agers with good system of a sig-

nal processing. They are based

on 128-element 4-column matrix

with staggered ordering of plots

and MCT matrix.

The US and NATO troops are

equipped with thermal imag-

ers of all generations. All the im-

agers have module construction.

Texas Instrumemts, Hughes (USA)

has developed gamma thermal

imager on the basis of microbo-

lometric and pyroelectric matrix-

es. There are gamma thermal im-

agers such as small arms sight

in mass of 1.77 kg and 800 m range,

and some other infra-red imag-

ers with excellent performances,

for example, the Sophie binocular

of French CSF Company on the ba-

sis of a 4х288-element submatrix,

2 kg in weight. It detects a human

being at the range of 1200–1300 m.

On the basis of this type of optical

detectors a driving thermal imager

was developed for driving of vari-

ous military vehicles and some oth-

er infra-red imagers.

The mili-tary man is

equipped with the PNV-10T night vision device Alfa-7115 laser

target pointer fixed on the assault rifle

www.airfleet.ru

targeting your audience

since 1997

AIR DEFENSE


AIR DEFENSE

2(52).2010 ● 33

pen Joint Stock

Company Podolsky

Electromechanical Plant

of Special Engineering

“PEMZ Spetsmash” and

Closed Joint Stock Company “NTC

Elins” have introduced to the world

market the up-to-date ZU-23M1-4

Anti-Aircraft Mount, that was built

on the basis of ZU-23 anti-aircraft

gun and modernization equipment

package.

The 23 mm twinned gun AA

mount has been soldiering for 50

years in different countries all over

the world, particularly in Army Air

Defense units and Airborne units of

the Russian Armed Forces. 14000

ZU-23 AA guns were produced dur-

ing Soviet Union time, Bulgaria and

China obtained a license to produce

and manufactured several thousand

mounts more. ZU-23 was exported

intensively to the Warsaw Pact coun-

tries, as well as Africa, Middle East

and other regions.

The outstanding AA mount capa-

bilities were proved and tested in dif-

ferent conditions and always demon-

strated its outstanding combat char-

acteristics. As a corollary the ZU-23

mount was considered to be a basis

for a much more cutting-edge weap-

on system.

Embarked on modernization OJSC

“PEMZ Spetsmash” and CJSK “NTC

ELINS” set a goal to update by far the

aiming and guiding systems of ZU-23.

Besides, the goal of modernization

was to provide day and night opera-

tional use capabilities of the system.

To achieve the goal the enterpris-

es, which were involved in the cre-

ation of ZU-23/30M1-4, fulfilled re-

search and development activities

as well as big number of actual fir-

ing exercises at real air targets were

executed.

After the modernization the

23mm ZU-23M1-4 twin anti-aircraft

gun mount was created to provide

protection of sites and non-mobile

objects against tactical and assault

aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles,

as well as to inflict damage on UAVs

and light armored combat vehicles

during day and night under condi-

tions of limited visibility.

Modernization equipment pack-

age of ZU-23 consists of:

■ Vertical and Horizontal Homing

Electrical Drives;

O

UPGRADED ZU-23UPGRADED ZU-23ANTI-AIRCRAFT MOUNTANTI-AIRCRAFT MOUNT

AIR DEFENSE


■ Optoelectronic Unit;

■ Tracking Automatic Unit;

■ Digital Computing System;

■ Display;

■ Control and Display Panel;

■ Operator Control Panel;

■ Electric Power Supply Unit;

■ Autonomous 27V DC Generating

Set;

■ Installation Kit.

The 2A14 anti-aircraft guns, load-

ing mechanisms and towed chassis

remain unchanged in ZU-23/30M1-4

Target search, finding the tar-

get, tracking the target (automatic

or semiautomatic), engaging the tar-

get are exercised at ZU-23/30M1-4 by

one operator instead of two at ZU-23.

The modernization of ZU-23 can

take place either in Russia or in an-

other place where a customer resides.

The modernization at the custom-

er's place is done at an enterprise,

designated by the customer, in coop-

eration with teams of Russian special-

ists and customer's specialists using a

modernization equipment package

as well as adjusting and alignment

equipment and tools, delivered from

Russia to update in-inventory ZU-23

mounts. As far as customer's special-

ists master the modernization proc-

ess of ZU-23, the upgrading can be

handed over to them fully or partially.

At the customer's discretion ZU-

23/30M1-4 can be equipped with

a target designation system, which

receives the coordinates and com-

mands via digital coded wire links

and radio links from the automated

command and control post of a unit.

Units with the in-service up-

graded Anti-Aircraft Mounts can be

equipped with spear parts tools and

accessories for the modernization

equipment package. In addition a

maintenance workshop can be com-

missioned. The workshop provides

maintenance and first line repairs of

ZU-23/30M1-4 in the field. The deliv-

ery package can also have simulators

which allow to train operators with-

out using the AA mounts and flying

targets.

Generally, the upgrade of ZU-23

to ZU-23/30M1-4 has provided:

■ Improvement of the effectiveness

while engaging air or ground tar-

gets;

■ Day and Night fighting capabil-

ities;

■ Automated process of aiming a

target and its tracking;

MAIN TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Type ZU-23 ZU-23/30M1

Armament Two 2A14 23-mm guns Two 2A14 23-mm guns

“Igla” (Igla-S) short range guided missiles

Platform Two-wheeled towed chassis Two-wheeled towed chassis of ZU-23

Guidance System Manual optical with mechanical sightOptoelectronic automatic, semiautomatic and

manual (as a backup)

Targeting System Manual using flywheels Electro drive

Effective Area of Engagement, km

Altitude

Range of Fire

Up to 1.5

Up to 2.0

Up to 3.5

Up to 5.0

Velocity of Effectively Engagement

of a Target, m/sUp to 50 Up to 400 (200 for guns)

Target Engagement Probability Not more than 0.023Not more than 0.7

(up to 0.2 for guns)

Ability to engage ground targets Yes Yes

Velocity of targeting, degrees./second

Horizontally 30 60

Vertically 40 50

24-Hour Fighting Performance Not provided Provided

Crew 2 1

Combat Load, kg 970 1100

AIR DEFENSE

2(52).2010 ● 35

■ No-live operator estimation of col-

lision;

■ The wide range of effective en-

gagement of fast moving targets;

■ Downsize of the crew.

Hereafter ZU-23/30M1-4 can be

armed with man portable SAM weap-

on “Igla-S” using the “Strelets” equip-

ment and module set. The “Igla-S” sur-

face-to-air missile can be launched

from a module that consists of the

ZU-23 chassis and “Strelets”. The

launch is controlled and command-

ed via ZU-23/30M1-4.

DIRECTOR GENERAL OPEN JOINT

STOCK COMPANY PODOLSKY

ELECTROMECHANICAL PLANT OF

SPECIAL ENGINEERING “PEMZ

SPETSMASH” CHICH SVYATOSLAV:

“The upgraded ZU-23M1-4 AA

mount was created by a group of

leading Russian specialists head-

ed by Head Designer V. Kokurin,

who unfortunately passed away in

2008. His work was continued by O.

Avdakov. Both were able to create

autonomous and high performance

complex, which has optimum struc-

ture, combat capabilities and price.

The backbone of the ZU-23 mod-

ernization was the integration of a

modern fire control system produced

by Closed Joint Stock Company “NTC

Elins” under the leadership of its

Director General TIKMENOV Vasily.

Our enterprise in cooperation

with Closed Joint Stock Company

“NTC Elins” totally finished the need-

ed work-out of the AA mount and is

ready to deliver it both Russian and

foreign customers.

ZU-23 M1-4's characteristics and

terms of delivery cause interest in

many countries and regions all over

the world: Latin America, Africa,

South-East Asia. The mount is need-

ed to be examined and for sure it

takes time. However we already

managed to ink a deal with a foreign

customer on delivery of several hun-

dreds of the AA mount. Preliminary

agreements have been reached with

other customers as well.

In cooperation with our counter-

agents and “Rosoboronexport” the

after-sale service of upgraded AA

mounts is provided in the customer's

place. The fulfillment of the after-

sale service in the customer's place

is facilitated due to the well engi-

neered modular structure of the sys-

tem as well as simplicity and mainte-

nance of the guns. I am sure that a cli-

ent will receive comprehensive high-

grade and high quality service.

Upgraded ZU-23

AIR DEFENSE


arious modifications

of the Buk air defense

missile system have

been in service in var-

ious countries for over

30 years. Why so long? First, the Buk

is being constantly improved to be

always up-to-date. Second, it proved

to be a reliable system working in se-

vere conditions without any prob-

lems. Third, the Buk can be easily in-

tegrated in air defense and aviation

combat control systems.

Its history dates back to 1972

which saw the creation of the Buk-

1 first-stage air defense missile sys-

tem designed to reinforce batteries

of Kub air defense missile systems

that were part of air defense regi-

ments of tank divisions — the main

striking power of the Soviet Army.

The 9A38 transporter erector

launcher and radar vehicle (TELAR)

placed on the GM-569 chassis com-

BUK AIR DEFENSE MISSILE SYSTEM:

OLD FRIENDS ARE BEST

V

AIR DEFENSE

2(52).2010 ● 37

bined functions of the self-propelled

target acquisition vehicle and self-

propelled launcher. It carried out

search for targets in a determined

sector, their detection and lock-in,

pre-launch actions, launch and hom-

ing of its three missiles as well as

three 3M9M3 surface-to-air missiles

(SAM) placed on a coupled 2P25M3

self-propelled launcher. The self-pro-

pelled launcher could receive control

and target information from both

the reconnaissance and targeting SP

vehicle and independently.

The 9A38 TELAR included

the 9S35 radar; digital computing

system; launching machine with

a servodrive; ground-based interro-

gator operating in the Parol recogni-

tion system; TV/optical sight; equip-

ment for data communications with

the reconnaissance and control ve-

hicle and wire communications with

the SP launcher; self-contained pow-

er supply system based on the gas

turbine device; navigation, location

and orientation equipment; life sup-

port system.

The progress in the develop-

ment of microwave devices, quartz

and electromechanical filters and

computers allowed the 9S35 radar to

operate as a target detection, track-

ing and illumination radar. It worked

in the centimeter band using one an-

tenna and two transmitters (pulse

and continuous emission). The first

transmitter was used for target de-

tection and tracking in the quasi-

continuous emission mode or, if

there are problems with unambigu-

ous range definitions, in the chirped

pulse mode.

The second continuous-emis-

sion transmitter was used for tar-

get and SAM illumination. The an-

tenna system provided sectorial tar-

get search in the electromechanical

mode, target tracking by angular co-

ordinates and range — in the mono-

pulse mode, while the signals were

processed by the on-board comput-

er. The noise factor of the radar’s sur-

veillance and direction-finding re-

ceivers was below 10 dB. The radar

reaction time was 20 sec. It was pro-

tected from active, passive and com-

bined jamming.

The 9A38 TELAR vehicle has

a launcher with replaceable guides.

The 9M38 SAM had a two-mode sol-

id-fuel propulsion. It featured a nor-

mal X-shaped configuration with

a low-aspect wing.

The front part of the missile suc-

cessively includes the semi-active

homing head, autopilot system,

power sources and warhead. In order

to reduce the alignment dispersion

by flight time, the grain chamber

is placed closer to the missile cen-

ter and the nozzle cluster includes

an extended duct surrounded by ac-

tuator elements.

The 9M38 missile was delivered

to the armed forces fully fitted in

a transport container. The period

of its maintenance-free operation

reached 10 years.

The 9M38 was able to engage air-

craft flying at altitudes of up to 3 km

from the range of 3.4 to 20.5 km

and at an altitude of 30 m — from 5

to 15.4 km. The missile could shoot

down targets at altitudes from 30 m

to 14 km, and at a course parameter

of up to 18 km. The aircraft hit prob-

ability equaled 0.70–0.93.

The 9S470 command post vehi-

cle placed on GM-579 chassis pro-

vided receiving, reflecting and pro-

cessing of target information com-

ing from the 9S18 target acquisition

radar (TAR) and six 9A310 self-pro-

pelled mounts as well as from higher

command posts, selecting dangerous

AIR DEFENSE


targets and their distribution among

self-propelled mounts in manual

and automatic modes, assigning their

responsibility sectors, depicting in-

formation on the availability of SAMs

on SP mounts and loading mounts,

modes of illumination transmitters

of SP mounts, their operation, oper-

ating regimes of the target acquisi-

tion radar. It also ensured the system’s

work in ECM environment and dur-

ing enemy’s employment of antira-

dar missiles as well as operation docu-

menting and crew training. The com-

mand post processed information

about 46 targets at altitudes of up to

20 km at a range of 100 km for one

surveillance cycle of the target acqui-

sition radar and sent up to 6 instruc-

tions to SP launchers.

The 9S18 Kupol 3D coherent/

pulse detection and tracking cen-

timeter-band radar featuring elec-

tronic scanning by elevation angle

and mechanical (round or in a spe-

cific sector) antenna rotation by az-

imuth using an electric or hydrau-

lic drive was designed to detect

and recognize aerial targets at alti-

tudes of up to 120 km (45 km at an al-

titude of 30 m) and submit air envi-

ronment information to the 9S470

command post vehicle.

Depending on the surveillance

sector by elevation angle and ECM

environment, the surveillance rate

was from 4.5 to 18 sec in circular

scanning and from 2.5 to 4.5 sec in

scanning within a 30° sector.

In order to prevent selective jam-

ming, methods of pulse-to-pulse

carrier frequency tuning, distance

interval blanking, change of linear

FM inclination and distance sectors

blanking were used. In case of noise

barrage jamming of self-protection

and external protection of select-

ed levels, the target detection sta-

tion could detect a fighter at a range

of 50 km. The station allowed target

tracking with a probability of at least

0.5 against the background of local

objects and passive jamming envi-

ronment by means of the moving-

target indicator canceller with wind

speed self-compensation. It was pro-

tected from antiradar missiles by

means of programmed carrier fre-

quency tuning within 1.3 sec, switch-

ing to circular ranging signal polar-

ization or pulsed light (glitter) mode.

The 9A310 TELAR vehicle differed

from the 9A38 one by the connec-

tion with the 9S470 command post

vehicle and 9A39 transporter-erector

launcher (TEL) with a data communi-

cations line.

In addition, four 9M38 SAMs were

placed on the launching machine

of the 9A310 TELAR vehicle. Its reac-

tion time equaled 5 min. It took 20 sec

to switch the system from the stand-

by to working mode, particular-

ly after changing its position with

switched equipment. The 9A380

TELAR was loaded with four SAMs

from the transporter-erector launch-

er within 12 min and from the trans-

porter vehicle — within 16 min.

The 9A39 TEL placed on the GM-

577 chassis was designed to transport

and store eight SAMs (four on the

launch machine and stationary lodg-

ments), launch four SAMs, self-load

its launch machine with four SAMs

from the lodgments and transport

containers, load and unload the SP

launch vehicle with four SAMs. Thus,

the Buk’s transporter-erector launch-

er combined functions of the trans-

port-launch vehicle and SP launch-

er. Besides the launcher with a ser-

vodrive, crane and lodgments,

the transporter-erector launcher in-

cluded the computing system, nav-

igation, survey control and orienta-

tion, data communications and pow-

er supply equipment as well as pow-

er supply units.

The system’s command post re-

ceived aerial situation data from

the command post of the Buk air

defense missile brigade (Polyana-D

ACS) and target detection station,

then processed it and sent instruc-

tions to SP launch vehicles, which

search for targets and tracked them

using this information. The SAM

was launched when targets reached

the engagement zone. The missile

was homed using the proportion-

al navigation technique ensuring

high homing accuracy. Approaching

the target, the seeker sent the close

arming command to the radio prox-

imity fuse. The warhead detonated 17

m away from the target. In case of ra-

dio proximity fuse failure, the SAM

self-destructed. If the target survived,

the second SAM was launched.

The Buk-1 system allowed the si-

multaneous engagement of up to six

targets by one division and, if need-

TABLE. COMPOSITION

Complex 9K37 "Buk" 9K37-1 "Buk-1"9K37M1

"Buk-M1"9K37M1-2

"Buk-M1-2"9K37M2E

"Buk-M2E"

Command Post 9S470 9S470 9S470M1 9S470M1-2 9S510

Surveillance Radar

9S18 Kupol 1S91M3 9S18M1 Kupol-M1 9S18М1-1 9S112 9S36

TELAR 9А310,9А38 9A38 9A310M1 9A310M1-2 9A317, 9P619

TEL 9А39 2P25M3 9A39M1 9A39M1, 9A39M1-2 9A316

TABLE. MISSILE

Missile 9М38 9М38M1 9M317

Missiles per TEL 4 4 4

Missile Weight 690 kg 690 kg 720 kg

Engagement range 4–30 km 3–42 km 3–45 km

Engagement altitude 30–14000 m 30–22000 m 30–25000 m

Maximum target speed (Mach) 2,5 4 4

AIR DEFENSE

2(52).2010 ● 39

ed, fulfilling up to six independent

combat tasks independently using

SP launch vehicles. It provided high

target detection reliability by means

of joint surveillance of the target de-

tection station and six SP launch ve-

hicles, enhanced jamming protec-

tion by means of the target seek-

er’s onboard computer and special

illumination signal and high target

engagement efficiency due to in-

creased SAM warhead power.

Practical and simulation launches

proved that the Buk air defense mis-

sile system can engage non-maneu-

vering targets flying at a speed of up

to 800 m/sec at altitudes from 25 m

to 18 km at ranges from 3 to 25 km

and course parameter of up to 18 km

with a single-launch hit probabili-

ty of 0.7–0.8. The hit probability re-

duced down to 0.6 if the target ma-

neuvered with G loads of up to 8.

Also, the system included

the 9V881 maintenance vehicle,

9V883, 9V884 and 9V894 technical

service and maintenance vehicles,

9V95 automated control and test

mobile station, 9T229 transport-

er vehicle with 9T319 technologi-

cal equipment set, 9T31M autocrane

and other assets.

The 9S18 TAR, 9A380 TELAR

and 9S470 command post vehi-

cles were made by the Ulyanovsk

Mechanical Plant. The 9A39 TEL was

produced at the Sverdlovsk Machine-

Building Plant.

In 1983, the Buk air defense mis-

sile system was modernized to raise

its combat performance and ECM

and antiradiation missiles protection.

The upgraded Buk-M1 featured lon-

ger aircraft engagement range, was

able to shoot down ALCM cruise mis-

siles with a single-launch hit prob-

ability of 0.4, Hew-Cobra helicop-

ters — with a hit probability of 0.6–

0.7 and hovering helicopters — 0.3–

0.4 at a range of 3.5–10 km.

The TELAR vehicle employs 72

pre-set illumination frequencies (in-

stead of 36), which raises its pro-

tection from mutual and intentional

interference. It can recognize three

types of targets — aircraft, ballis-

tic missiles and helicopters. When

compared with the 9S470 command

post, the 9S470M1 one supports si-

multaneous reception of data from

the own target detection station

and information about six targets

from the air defense command post

of the motorized infantry (tank) di-

vision or from that of the army as

well as comprehensive training of all

combat crews.

As compared with the 9A38,

the 9A310M1 TELAR allows target de-

tection and lock-in at longer ranges (by

25–30%) as well as recognition of air-

craft, ballistic missiles and helicopters

with a probability of at least 0.6.

The system incorporates a more

advanced 9S18M1 (Kupol-M1) TAR

featuring a flat elevation-scanned

phased array and basing on the GM-

567M tracked chassis.

The Buk-M1 system features ef-

ficient organizational and tech-

nical antiradiation missile protec-

tion. The Buk-M1’s combat parts

are interchangeable with the simi-

lar parts of the Buk system with-

out their upgrades. The organization

of their combat and technical units is

the same, too.

The system’s technological equip-

ment includes the 9V95M1 automat-

ed control and test mobile station

employing the ZiL-131 chassis with

a trailer; 9V883, 9V884 and 9V894

technical service and maintenance

vehicles based on Ural-43203-1012;

the 9V881 technical service vehicle

based on Ural-43203-1012; 9T229

transporter vehicle for eight missiles

or six containers with missiles based

on a KrAZ-255B; 9T31M autocrane

and MTO-ATG-M1 technical service

workshop based on ZiL-131.

In 1994-1997, the Buk-M1-2 ADMS

was created. Due to the employment

of a newer 9M317 missile and up-

grading other systems, for the first

time it gained the ability to hit Lance

tactical ballistic missiles and aircraft-

launched missiles at a range of 20

km, elements of high-precision weap-

ons and ships — at 25 km and ground

targets (parked aircraft, launch-

ers and large command posts) —

at 15 km. The aircraft, helicopters

and cruise missiles engagement ca-

pability was raised, too. The engage-

ment range was increased up to 45 km

and altitude — up to 25 km. The new-

er missile features an inertial-correct-

ed control system with a semi-active

radar target seeker providing propor-

tional navigation guidance. Outwardly,

the 9M317 differs from the 9M38 mis-

sile by a smaller wing chord length.

In addition to the improved mis-

sile, it is planned to equip the system

with a new part — the illumination

and guidance radar with a telescopic

antenna placed at a height of 22 m in

the working position. This radar con-

siderably raises the system’s capabil-

ity to engage low-flying targets, par-

ticularly cruise missiles.

The system can be equipped with

command posts and launch section

of two types: four sections each in-

cluding one improved TELAR vehicle

carrying four SAMs and able to simul-

taneously engage up to four targets

and one transporter-erector launcher

with eight missiles; two sections each

including one illumination and guid-

ance radar also able to simultaneous-

AIR DEFENSE


ly engage up to four targets and two

transporter-erector launchers with

eight SAMs on each one.

Upgrading the Buk-M system

(Buk-M1-2 and Buk-M2), the Start

Machine-Building Design Bureau

developed the 9P619 launcher

and 9A316 TEL on a tracked chas-

sis as well as the 9A318 launcher

on a wheeled chassis.

In general, the development

of Kub and Buk air defense missile

systems is an excellent example

of how weapons evolution can con-

tinuously enhance the combat per-

formance of army air defense at a rel-

atively low price.

Now, foreign customers can buy

the cutting-edge Buk-M2E medium-

range multifunctional mobile air de-

fense missile system manufactured

by the Ulyanovsk Mechanical Plant. It

can defeat any aerial targets includ-

ing tactical and strategic aircraft, fire

support helicopters including hover-

ing ones, a wide range of tactical bal-

listic and antiradiation missiles as well

as special airborne and cruise missiles.

The system can engage sur-

face targets (destroyers and missile

boats) and ground radar-contrast

targets both in light and heavy ECM

environment. Its target engagement

zone is 3–45 km by range and 15 m —

25 km — by altitude.

The minimal deployment/clo-

sure time is 5 min given that the po-

sitions of its main combat assets

can be changed within 20 sec with

switched-on equipment. High-speed

tracked chassis provide the system

with high mobility.

The employment of advanced

phased arrays with an effective

phase control allows simultane-

ous tracking and rapid engagement

of up to 24 targets. The efficient op-

toelectronic system based on the

submatrix IR and charge transfer ma-

trix TV channels provides round-the-

clock operation of its main combat

asset — the 9A317E TELAR vehicle.

The optical mode largely rais-

es the system’s jamming protec-

tion and survivability. All combat as-

sets are integrated into advanced

digital systems allowing rapid data

processing and selecting the most

dangerous targets, their lock-in

and tracking. A single and salvo

launch can be made 10-12 sec after

target detection.

High mobility and survivabili-

ty, wide range of engaged targets

and high single-launch hit proba-

bility (0.9–0.95) attracts attention to

the Buk-M2E air defense missile sys-

tem and raises its popularity on in-

ternational arms markets.

The Ulyanovsk Mechanical Plant is part of the Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern and is one of the leading manufacturers of high-performance air defense systems and the only producer of Buk-M2 air defense missile systems and Tunguska-M1 air defense missile/gun system. The company carries out the modernization of ZSU-23-4 Shilka and Buk-M1 systems.

The plant is conducting R&D works on the modernization of previously-made items and overhaul of combat and technical assets of Buk and Tunguska systems.

CONTACTS:OJSC ULYANOVSK MECHANICAL PLANT

Moskovskoye Highway 94, Ulyanovsk, Russia, 432008Phone: +7 (8422) 42-03-70, fax: +7 (8422) 32-61-63

E-mail: [email protected]

OJSC ALMAZ-ANTEY AIR DEFENSE CONCERN

Vereiskaya St. 41, Moscow, Russia, 121471Phone: +7 (095) 780-54-10, fax: +7 (095) 780-54-11

E-mail: [email protected]

AIR DEFENSE

2(52).2010 ● 41

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LAND FORCES


RUSSIAN LIGHT MULTIROLE RUSSIAN LIGHT MULTIROLE ARMORED VEHICLESARMORED VEHICLES

LAND FORCES

2(52).2010 ● 43

Viktor Murakhovskiy

LAND FORCES


At the end of the 20th century,

the changing nature of military op-

erations required the urgent equip-

ment of armed forces and police

with light armored vehicles. The new

important tasks emerged, namely

counter-terrorist and peace-keeping

operations, patrolling missions, bor-

der protection, etc.

Performing these missions, mili-

tary units and law enforcement bod-

ies can be attacked in any place

and any time in a situation when

there is no front and rear. Command

and support units are threatened

at the same level as combat units

do. Combat units possess combat ar-

mored vehicles, but other structures

used to employ thin-skinned ones.

Thus, the losses of general purpose

vehicles in local wars were too large.

Soon, many countries realized

the need in light multirole armored

vehicles and started their crea-

tion. The US HMMWV Hammer was

a kind of symbol of such vehicles.

At present, dozens of companies all

over the world manufacture such

cars, for example, Renault (France),

KMW (Germany), Iveco (Italy), FNSS

(Turkey), Bin Jaber Group (UAE) and

others.

Such vehicles are used both

in military structures and law en-

forcement bodies as well as in many

other fields requiring protected and

mobile vehicles.

As for the Russian Federation,

the first order for developing light

multirole armored vehicles was made

by the Federal Border Service at the

Special Machine-Building Science-

Production Center of the Bauman

Moscow State Technical University.

As a result, the BPM-97 Vystrel ar-

mored border vehicle was created.

Later on, Russia designed other

light armored vehicles — the GAZ-

3937 Vodnik and GAZ-2330 Tigr, em-

ployed by the Defense Ministry,

Interior Ministry and other law en-

forcement bodies.

KAMAZ-43269 VYSTREL

The light multirole armored vehi-

cle is delivered in various configura-

tions — command, patrol, medical

and reconnaissance.

The armored bodywork is

made by Kurganmashzavod, while

the Naberezhnye Chelny-based

Remdiesel plant carries out the final

assembling and installs series parts

of the KAMAZ 4326 truck. This so-

lution allowed extending the over-

haul life up to 270,000 km — an out-

standing characteristic for armored

vehicles.

The hull is assembled from rolled

armor sheets with optimal slope

angles. The armor in the top part

of the hull protects from the 12.7-

mm NSVT heavy machine gun from

300 m, while the bottom part and

rear — from the 7.62-mm SVD snip-

er rifle from 30 m. The cupola pro-

vides for the installation of the 14.5-

mm KPVT machine gun, 12.7-mm

Kord machine gun, 30-mm Plamya

grenade launcher and antitank mis-

sile system.

The BPM-97 has two 125-liter pro-

tected tanks and an extra 20-liter

tank in the armored hull. The vehi-

cle features an autonomous heat-

er to maintain working temperature

in the troopers compartment irre-

spectively of the engine operation.

Also, it has an air filtration unit.

In Russia, the KAMAZ-43269

Vystrel is mainly used to carry explo-

sives, money and valuable cargo. In

2005, several vehicles were sold to

the Interior Ministries of Kazakhstan

and Azerbaijan.

GAZ-3937 VODNIK

It is a light multirole armored ve-

hicle of modular configuration. Its

hull is welded from rolled armored

sheets and represents a combina-

tion of front and rear modules. The

space limited by the front mod-

ule includes the powerplant and

control compartments separated by

KAMAZ-43269 Vystrel

The point, that the use of infantry units during a warfare even without chemical or bacteriological

weapon is going to be diminished, obtains a wide circulation not only on bush-league forums but

even among some professionals. However, the last local conflicts, for instance in Georgia, show that

Infantry remains the most all purpose branch of the Armed Forces which is capable effectively fight

against foe's infantry units as well as small guerrilla units. Moreover, the infantry units shall become an

absolute obstacle for mechanized units. To full fill the mentioned tasks an infantry unit is supposed to

have superiority in fire power and last but not least modern attached armored vehicles

LAND FORCES

2(52).2010 ● 45

a sealed bulkhead. The rear module

represents usable volume designed

for transporting people and cargo,

mounting special equipment and

armament.

The two-seat cab with tandem

seats is in the front on the left side. It

is equipped with a heating/air con-

ditioning unit and adjustable seats.

To the sight, one can see a six-cylin-

der row turbocharged 175-hp 6.23-

l engine from the GAZ-5423. The

6.4-t GAZ-3937 can reach a speed

of 112 km/h on a highway. The pow-

er take-off device allows switching

a water-jet motor, a winch and oth-

er devices.

Due to the quick-release coupling

of the rear module and the hull bear-

ing flange, various modules can be

easily replaced on a vehicle on the

field. Thus, various modules allow

using one chassis for transporting

people, cargo, mounting special

equipment and armament.

The selectable front-wheel drive,

steering booster, heating and air

conditioning system provide

high cross-country capability and

comfort.

The independent torsion suspen-

sion, central tire inflation system,

smooth bottom side and high clear-

ance ensure the vehicle’s smooth

movement in cross country condi-

tions. The hermetic hull allows cross-

ing water obstacles afloat at a speed

of up to 4 km/h.

The GAZ-3937 is the basis for

the 39371 version featuring armored

hull, altered cab and turret.

The vehicle is highly unified with

GAZ series vehicles, which provides

high reliability and serviceability.

GAZ-2330 TIGR

It is a 4x4 vehicle featuring ring-

bridge structure, armored single-

volume three-door bodywork and

designed to transport up to 9 peo-

ple and 1,200 kg of cargo. The car-

go compartment is separated from

the passenger one with a bulk-

head and accommodates addition-

al seats for 2–4 persons. The inde-

pendent double fishbone suspen-

sion of all wheels with hydraulic

shock absorbers as well as the pow-

erplant consisting of the diesel en-

gine, clutch with an air-hydrau-

Vodnik has her-metic hull and is amphibious

LAND FORCES


lic booster, five-stage mechanical

gearbox, two-stage transfer case

with an interaxle differential includ-

ing an electropneumatic differen-

tial lock drive, engine systems (cool-

ing, fuel, etc), two limited slip ax-

les, wheel-hub drives and wheels

with tires adjusted for cross-coun-

try conditions are mounted on the

stiff welded frame.

The unit unification with

the BTR-80 armored personnel carri-

er and GAZ-39371 Vodnik multifunc-

tional armored vehicle, which are

checked by multi-year experience,

guarantees the Tigr’s high reliability

and long overhaul period.

This multifunctional vehicle was

ordered by the Defense Ministry

of the UAE, which spent $60 million

for developing and manufacturing

test models. The first Tiger HMTV ve-

hicles were presented in Abu-Dhabi

at the IDEX-2001 exhibition. Though,

the consumer liked the vehicles,

the supply contract was not signed.

Several vehicles were put into test

operation with the Moscow Special

Rapid Response Unit of Russia’s

Interior Ministry. As a result, this min-

istry ordered the special police ver-

sion of this vehicle for its units. The

Tigr’s series production is carried

out at the Arzamas machine-build-

ing plant.

The Tigr special police vehicle

(SPM-1 and SPM-2) is designed for

transportation and operational mis-

sions conducted by Interior Ministry

forces during anti-terrorist opera-

tions, territorial defense and assist-

ing Russia’s Federal Border Service.

The Tigr SPM-2 version provides

Level 5 ballistic protection. Its roof

has two hatches. The cabin has plac-

es for the crew as well as for the ra-

dio station and radio-controlled

bomb locking device. The SPM-1 ver-

sion provides Level 3 ballistic pro-

tection and has some extra equip-

ment, namely the conditioning sys-

tem, arm support for weapons, etc.

The STS GAZ-233014 Tigr is

a special-purpose vehicle designed

for military troops. It provides

Level 3 ballistic protection. There

is a rotating hatch with a folded

cap and arm supports for weapons

in the roof. Opening armor win-

dows in the doors and sides allow

using side arms by the troopers.

The cabin has seats for the driver,

vehicle commander and 4 troopers.

The size of the pivot hatch allows

two crew members to fire in two

directions at once. Inside the STS

GAZ-233014 Tigr, there are cases

for the machine gun and grenade

launcher ammunition loads, arm

supports for machine guns, auto-

matic grenade launcher, reactive

antitank grenades (RPG-22, RPG-

26 and RShG-2) and manpads (Igla

and Igla-S).

The Tigr’s army version has two

controllable powerful pilot lights,

one mounted in front and the oth-

er — at the rear on the roof.

There is a versatile arm support

with sockets for communication sys-

tems in the hull on the transmission

tunnel. Arm supports for communi-

cation antennas are mounted out-

side. The hull and door windows are

bulletproof and the interior spall lin-

ers protect personnel against spalls if

the hull is hit by bullets or fragments

and exclude ricochet from the oppo-

site side if the hull is pierced.

The series STS Tigr vehicles are

constantly improved. The current

version has a board information

control system (BIUS) and a multi-

plex electric equipment control sys-

tem. These systems are integrated

into the on-board network by he

CAN multiplex bus. In December

2009, a new Tigr version powered

by the 420-hp diesel engine was pre-

sented in Nizhny Tagil. The previous

versions were powered by 2-5-hp

diesel engines.SPM-2

SPM-1

LAND FORCES

2(52).2010 ● 47

The KShM R-145BMA Tigr is a com-

mand and control vehicle used by

the commanders of Special Forces

to control their troops, communi-

cate with superior chiefs and coop-

erating bodies. The vehicle provides

communications on the move and

stand and commutation with sta-

tionary communications systems.

The means of communication work

in various bands and include satellite

communications systems, ciphony

equipment, commutation systems

as well as various power sources.

This command and control vehicle

was jointly created by the Military-

Industrial Company and Tambov ra-

dio plant Signal.

SPM-3 MEDVED

This special-purpose armored po-

lice vehicle was first shown in pub-

lic in autumn 2008 in Moscow. It was

initially planned to make a family

of vehicles on the chassis of SPM-3

APC designed for the Internal Troops.

Featuring better ballistic protection

and especially strong anti-mine pro-

tection, the SPM-3 can be used for

delivering infantry units to the bat-

tlefield and fire support missions,

too. The SPM-3 can be widely used

in the armed forces for the follow-

ing purposes:

■ for escort and patrolling missions,

commandant control service, spe-

cial post service, transporting

and keeping secret documents

in field;

■ as a protected command and con-

trol vehicle. Its large usable inte-

rior volume (about 12 cu.m) al-

lows installing the necessary com-

munications and control systems

and providing comfortable work

of the combat crew;

■ as a reconnaissance scout vehi-

cle. In this case, its advantages

in speed, protection and place for

reconnaissance equipment and

systems are used;

■ as a self-propelled antitank com-

bat vehicle (it has large internal

volume);

■ as a self-propelled mortar;

■ as a armored medical vehicle for

MEDEVAC missions;

■ as a NBC reconnaissance vehicle,

etc.

CHARACTERISTICS VODNIK VYSTREL TIGR

Configuration 4 x 4 4 x 4 4x4

Cab seating 3 + 8 men 2+8 2+7

Weight (empty) 6.6–7.5 t 10.5 t 7.6 t

Maximum load 1.5–2.5 t 1.5 t

Length

Width

Height

5.38 m

2.6 m

2.15 / 2.57 m

5.3 m

1.9 m

2.3 m

5.7 m

2.3 m

2.3 m

Engine power 175 hp 240 hp 205 hp

Maximum road speed 112 km/h 90 km/h 140 km/h

Amphibious speed on water 4–5 km/h — —

Range up to 1000 km up to 1100 km up to 900 km

Gradient 60,00% 60,00% 50,00%

Armor bulletproof bulletproof bulletproof

arms

Documents

network centric

berezhok fighting

bakhcha fighting

image intensifier

commanders

night vision

target designation

image intensifier